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
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.
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:
Open the Fry’s app
Tap the three lines (top right)
Select Rewards > Community Rewards
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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