A New Chapter in Sunnyslope
Students, families, church members, and friends gathered this week to celebrate the Grand Opening of MentorKids USA’s Sunnyslope Promise Neighborhood—and the beginning of a partnership rooted in faith, trust, and a shared commitment to Sunnyslope’s children and families.
On Monday afternoon, a bright red ribbon stretched across the entrance of Covenant of Grace Christian Fellowship as students gathered with scissors in hand.
A few moments later, the ribbon was cut and the Sunnyslope Promise Neighborhood was officially open.
But the story behind this new neighborhood began long before Monday.
A prayer years in the making
During the Grand Opening, a longtime member of Covenant of Grace shared something with MentorKids Executive Director Aaron Parrott.
Years ago, she explained, the founders of the church prayed that their church would make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in the surrounding neighborhood. Looking at the students, families, church members, and MentorKids team gathered together Monday, she told him:
“That prayer is being answered through our partnership with MentorKids.”
It was a simple moment, but one that captured much of what makes this partnership meaningful.
Covenant of Grace Christian Fellowship is not simply the place where our Sunnyslope program meets. As the Anchor Church for the Sunnyslope Promise Neighborhood, its congregation and leadership are helping create a place where students can be known, encouraged, supported, and surrounded by caring adults within their own community.
We are deeply grateful to the pastors, staff, congregation, and volunteers of Covenant of Grace for opening their doors to MentorKids and welcoming our students and families so generously.
What families are already seeing
Some of the most meaningful stories from the afternoon came from parents themselves.
While talking with two MentorKids moms, one was asked whether she had noticed any changes since her children began attending the Sunnyslope program.
Her answer said a lot: her three children wanted to attend MentorKids even during a week when the family was out of town and the students were not in school.
Another mother described a different kind of change. Before joining the program, she said her son often came home from school feeling “anxious and amped up.” Since attending MentorKids, she has noticed him returning home “calmer and more peaceful.”
These are early stories from a new Promise Neighborhood. But they are also reminders of why consistent relationships matter.
MentorKids’ Promise Neighborhood model is designed to surround young people with caring adults, academic support, spiritual encouragement, opportunities to build relationships, and a pathway toward leadership as they grow.
And that work happens over time—one afternoon, one conversation, one relationship at a time.
Built on trust
For Sunnyslope Neighborhood Manager Alejandra Arellano, Monday was also an opportunity to recognize the people who have made these first months possible.
“To the parents and students, a big THANK YOU for the trust in our program and team.”
That trust matters. Families are inviting MentorKids into the lives of their children. Covenant of Grace is inviting MentorKids into its church and community. Volunteers, supporters, staff, and neighbors are choosing to invest their time and resources in young people they believe in.
None of that is something we take lightly.
We are grateful to every family who has walked through the doors, every student who is making Sunnyslope their own, every member of Covenant of Grace who has welcomed them, and every friend and supporter who joined us Monday to celebrate.
And perhaps our favorite part?
The adults may have brought the giant ceremonial scissors—but our students helped make the ribbon cutting official.
THE WORK BEGINS HERE
A Grand Opening marks a milestone. But for the Sunnyslope Promise Neighborhood, this is really the beginning.
The work ahead will be quieter than Monday’s celebration. It will happen after school, around tables and homework, through conversations and laughter, during difficult days and small victories, and eventually as young people begin discovering how they can lead and serve others themselves.
That is the kind of transformation MentorKids is committed to pursuing: faithful, relational, local, and built over time.
To everyone helping us begin this chapter in Sunnyslope: Thank you. We’re grateful to be here.
MORE FROM MONDAY IN SUNNYSLOPE
Sunnyslope Promise Neighborhood
Serving students and families within the boundaries of 19th Ave. to Central Ave. and Peoria Ave. to Hatcher Rd.
Program Location & Anchor Church
Covenant of Grace Christian Fellowship
906 W Peoria Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85029
Neighborhood Manager
Alejandra Arellano
[email protected]
