A Friend to Children: School Mentoring Matters
When Debbie Riederer's daughter graduated from grade school to middle school, she couldn't get the sweet faces of elementary-aged children out of her mind. Recognizing that her work in real estate allowed some flexibility during the week, she decided to do something about it. Debbie called the Olathe School District's volunteer office to learn about potential opportunities. Through that interaction, Debbie learned about a program called "Lunch Buddies," where adults were paired up with children needing a steady presence in their life. It was just what she'd hoped for!
Over the years, her involvement with Lunch Buddies transitioned to serving children through the Big Brothers / Big Sisters program. In 2020, it all came to a screeching halt when the pandemic shut down schools and programs in one fell swoop.
What next? A quick scan of the headlines and it was clear – as it continues to be today – that the enemy of our souls had his sights set on our children. She wanted to do something – but what?
"Now what?" became Debbie’s regular prayer – a prayer God faithfully answered in his perfect time.
(Editor’s note: the name of the child, “Anna” is not her real name. Her name has been replaced to protect her privacy.)
It was a frosty morning in early 2021. Debbie saw another story in the news about the efforts to re-open the schools and return things to somewhat normal.
But what was normal? Time would eventually reveal how much had been lost – far beyond what anyone could have imagined. Debbie's heart ached for the children.
Debbie was surprised to receive a phone call that morning from Pastor Matt Adams, who oversees Westside's Community Impact team. He called to ask if she would consider volunteering with a new test pilot mentoring program at Lenexa Hills Elementary. Westside hoped to launch it that spring – just as soon as they could get a small team into the school.
The idea of getting back into an elementary school thrilled Debbie's heart. As a mom, she knew the critical nature of those early years in a child's life. As a Christ-follower, she knew the importance of caring for and serving children through intentional relationships. Could this be the answer to her prayer?
Debbie said yes to Matt’s request, and as the team prepared, they waited until they were finally given the green light to step foot in the school.
Over the next year and a half, Debbie worked alongside Matt's team and the administrators at Lenexa Hills to develop and implement a meaningful program with nine volunteer mentors who received training through Kids Hope USA. She loved what she saw so much that she agreed to step into the volunteer coordinator role for Lenexa Hills and serve as a liaison between the school and Westside's Impact team. Her favorite role, however, was interacting with her “special kid.”
A “Date” with Anna
"Who else do you come to see at my school?" little Anna asked with a quizzical look on her face.
Debbie was just getting to know the new student she'd been paired up with for the 2022/23 school year, but she loved her already.
"Just you!" Debbie smiled, looking deep into the little girl's deep brown eyes. Her response clearly startled the child. "Anna," Debbie spoke the girl's name softly, "you are my special kid – you really are my special person here at Lenexa Hills. I come here every week just for you!"
Anna's eyes grew wide. "Really?" She wanted to believe that – but could it be true?
"Really," Debbie affirmed as she reached across the table and squeezed the little girl's hand. "Now, what do you think we should work on today? Do you have any worksheets you need help with?"
"No," Anna said proudly. "I got those all done today!"
"Well, great job!" Debbie cheered. "Maybe we should celebrate! I brought a little art project with me…what do you think?" Reaching into her bag, Debbie pulled out a pile of craft materials and a picture of a project they could make. She placed the items on the table in front of Anna.
Anna's face lit up. "Yes! That looks fun!" She loved creating things – something Debbie had quickly figured out with the insight of Anna's teacher.
For the next 30-45 minutes, the pair would work on the craft and talk about life. Debbie knew her job was simply to show up, listen and offer a caring, encouraging word when appropriate.
When they were finished, Anna jumped up from her chair, hugged Debbie, and darted back to her classroom with her craft. This was the routine each week. Some weeks, they would focus on schoolwork or play a game. In other weeks, Anna brought a friend to meet Debbie. Anna especially loved introducing her friends to the kind woman who showed up just for her every week.
That afternoon, as Debbie settled into her car, she offered a prayer thanking God for his help and offered a specific prayer of petition for Anna. Then, she opened her phone and began to type a text to her friend Pat. "Thank you for praying," she began. "Things went really well with Anna today."
"Debbie, I am so glad about that! It's an honor to be a partner with you!" Pat wrote in a reply. "I know together, we are making a difference! I'll keep praying!"
Every week when Debbie arrived at the school, she would call or text her friend Pat just before entering the building. She cherished the weekly time with Anna and knew God could do amazing things in and through this interaction. The knowledge that someone was praying during this weekly mentoring interaction with Anna was powerful. Of all the child-focused programs Debbie had been involved with in the past, this was the first time she had someone dedicated to praying for her, the child, and their time together.
Prayer is integral to Westside's school mentoring program. In fact, every school mentor in Westside’s mentoring program has a dedicated prayer partner! While many adults may not have the luxury of a flexible or reliable schedule to meet with kids during the school day, prayer offers a way for them to also play an integral role in supporting at-risk children.
In a few months' time, it can be difficult to understand the impact of that consistent visit and supportive prayer – especially when that one hour each week is the you might see the child – but Debbie knows it's happening. With every conversation Debbie senses change — and Anna isn't the only one being changed. Debbie is too.
Postscript:
At Westside, part of our mission is to wrap God's family around the families in our immediate community. We do that in many ways – whether through established programs like Network 1.27 or just being available for our neighbors when they need a supportive person.
As for Debbie, she's found her sweet spot in serving kids experiencing the elementary season of life. These years are critical in a child's emotional, social, and academic development, and she's committed to making a difference.
Debbie never set out to become the volunteer coordinator for Westside's school mentoring program at Lenexa Hills. She just loved kids, saw a need, stepped into it, and is letting God do the rest. If you'd like more information about Westside's School Mentoring program, the support and training available through our partnership with Kids Hope USA, and how you can get involved as either a mentor or volunteer coordinator in an existing program or the upcoming launch of our partnership with Prairie Ridge Elementary, visit https://westsidefamily.church/school-partnerships.