In 1997, Orville Krieger founded Phoenix MatchPoint, in partnership with Prison Fellowship, to address the needs of at-risk youth in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area by matching caring Christian adults with youth ages 8-17 who showed warning signs of becoming criminal offenders. Youth targeted for mentoring included those who had either trouble with the law, significant school problems, dysfunctional family backgrounds, or drug or alcohol abuse

Throughout the history of the organization, local churches have played a major role by providing program support and mentors. Mentors commit time each week to be a friend and role model for an at-risk youth. The mentors offer concrete expressions of unconditional love and support to the mentee; and the two participate in activities designed to build friendship, trust, and constructive values.

In January of 2004, Phoenix MatchPoint changed its name to MentorKids USA. Maintaining the heart of the organization, MentorKids USA continues to serve at-risk youth, specifically targeting youth between the ages of 5-18 who have an incarcerated parent, come from a single-parent household, have drug or alcohol problems, have been physically or sexually abused, have significant school problems, or live in poverty.Since its inception, the organization has served more than 500 kids.