July MentorMoments

Happy Thursday,

It’s great to see kids having fun, isn’t it?   

I witnessed the same thing at all 5 of our Summer Enrichment Program sites this summer: Kids having fun.   

Palomino kids chased each other with water guns; Maryvale kids slid down water slides; Tempe kids eagerly shopped at the camp store using MentorKids “bucks” they earned; Paiute kids sang and danced at VBS; and South Phoenix kids dove on the floor during a version of “musical chairs” with no chairs (not a game for adults!!).

But, amidst all the fun this summer, there was something else happening: Lives were being changed.   

Justice, from our Tempe Promise Neighborhood, has had a lot of ups and downs this past year.  However, this summer something changed.  In the words of our team member, “Justice came alive this summer.”  Something clicked this summer to the point where, on the last day of summer camp, she said, “I really liked the Bible class because I learned about what to do and what not to do in the Bible.”   

Briselle (1st grade), Katherine (1st grade), Ivan (kinder), and Diego (2nd grade) from our Palomino Promise Neighborhood had a life-changing experience in the pool this summer.  At first, they were terrified of the pool.  Even hearing the word “pool” would bring them to tears.  However, by the end of summer, they were able to jump into the pool and swim on their own to the other side...without fear.   

As you watch the short video and see some of the pictures from this summer, know that YOU were a part of impacting over 300 lives this summer.   On behalf of the children and families we serve, thank you!!!   

Until Next Time,

Aaron Parrott
Executive Director, MentorKids USA

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Kids Say the Smartest Things — A Summer Snapshot

Filmed entirely by our own student leaders, this short video captures the joy, growth, and insight that bloom when young minds are nurtured through mentorship, academic support, and fun-filled enrichment programs.

In this special edition of MentorMoments, Executive Director Aaron Parrott sits down with students from our Tempe Promise Neighborhood to reflect on their favorite summer moments—making new friends, learning life lessons, going on unforgettable field trips, and creating memories that will last all year long.

Now in its second year of summer programming, the Tempe Promise Neighborhood—led by Neighborhood Manager Brittany Carrillo—continues to grow into a vibrant hub for connection, learning, and leadership development.

Watch the video—you’ll laugh, you’ll smile, and you’ll remember why this work matters.

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Shop. Swipe. Support MentorKids.

We’re now part of Fry’s Community Rewards!

Every time you shop at Fry’s, you can help MentorKids earn quarterly donations at no extra cost to you. Just link your Fry’s Shopper’s Card to MentorKids USA (VD161) in the app or online.

It only takes a minute:

1. Open the Fry’s app

2. Tap the three lines (top right)

3. Select Rewards > Community Rewards

4. Choose “MentorKids USA” as your organization

Once it’s set, every grocery run helps us serve more kids across Phoenix. The more supporters who link their card, the more impact we can make, together.

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Stay Connected with MentorKids

Want to keep up with stories like this, plus behind-the-scenes updates, impact highlights, and ways to get involved?

Be sure to sign up for our MentorMoments monthly digital newsletter! It’s the best way to stay in the loop with all things MentorKids—delivered straight to your inbox.

$25K Grant Helps MentorKids Teens Lead the Way

MentorKids USA has been awarded a $25,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to expand its iLEAD My Generation program—a four-year leadership and mentoring initiative for high school students in underserved Arizona neighborhoods. This investment helps equip teens with academic support, paid mentoring opportunities, and real-world job training to become confident leaders in their communities.

Download Full Press Release

Learn more about Thunderbirds Charities and their commitment to youth development in Arizona.

Celebrate the Class of 2025 – Leave a Message That Matters

Graduation season is here—and for our MentorKids high school seniors, it marks the start of something big.

These students have grown into leaders—many of them starting in elementary school with us, staying the course, and stepping into mentorship roles themselves. They’ve invested in their communities, persevered through challenges, and built something meaningful. Now, as they prepare to graduate, we want to send them off with the love and support of the entire MentorKids family.

📝 Share Your Words of Wisdom

We’ve created a space where you can leave a personal message for our graduates. It could be a bit of advice, a verse, a favorite quote, or simply a “We’re so proud of you!” Whether it’s signed or anonymous, your message will be shared with our grads as a reminder that their community is cheering them on.

Let them know they are seen, celebrated, and supported—today and always.

Thanks for being part of this journey. Your words mean more than you know.

Introducing Our Fresh New Look for iLEAD and iLEAD Launch

We’re excited to unveil the updated branding for our iLEAD and iLEAD Launch programs! These refreshed logos represent the growth, momentum, and leadership we see in our students every day. With a bold, modern design and a color palette aligned with our mission, this new look reflects the energy and purpose behind our high school leadership pathway.

iLEAD equips students to grow as leaders marked by confidence, character, and compassion—and now, our updated branding reflects that same bold and purposeful vision. As mentors become role models and students rise to lead their peers, this refreshed look visually represents the transformative journey our youth are taking—made possible by your support.

You’ll start to see the new branding across our website, printed materials, apparel, and more. We’re grateful to everyone who shared their input during this process, and we look forward to what’s ahead as we continue building leaders who build leaders.

A Very Special Christmas Story from our Students

Luke 2:1-20, Matthew: 1:20-23, Isaiah 9:6-7

The Best Program: A Heartfelt Thanksgiving at MentorKids

November 2024 MentorMoments

I recently sat down with 3 mothers with kids in our program and asked them each to describe MentorKids in three words.  “Harmony, happiness, love, fun, respect, family, learning” were the words they chose.  One mom used her three words to create a sentence:  “The best program.” 

One thing came through loud and clear: They are all extremely grateful their children are part of MentorKids.  They shared that their children are doing better in school (reading and math), learning social and leadership skills, and connecting with God in a very real, personal, and practical way.    

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we have so much to be thankful for.  Here are a few things at the top of our list: 

• iLEADers who every day are investing their leadership capacity into the next generations of kids in our Promise Neighborhoods;  

• Parents who trust us with their children and believe in our mission;  

• Church partners who share the vision of the Promise Neighborhood and provide so much love, support, and encouragement to us, the kids, and their families;  

• Volunteers at all levels who give so much of their time and energy;  

• Financial supporters who joyfully give so that we can deliver amazing programs and reach more kids;  

• Paid staff who have dedicated their professional lives to advancing the mission and vision of MentorKids;  

• Our gracious God who always provides, guides, protects, and surprises us!!   

 Many of you were a part of our 2024 Morning of Hope Event we held last month.  Our goal was $400,000 and, thanks to YOU, we raised over $410,000.   

 We are in awe of your generosity and of what God is doing in and through MentorKids.  Thank you for being a part of building “The best program.”   

Until Next Time,

Aaron Parrott

Executive Director

Missed the Morning of Hope? Watch iLEAD Jesus’ Powerful Story and See His Impact with MentorKids!