Mentorkids USA

“Chairman of the board will review 990 with the board at the board meeting prior to filing.”

“Any director, principal officer or member of a committee with governing board delegated powers are covered under this policy. An interested party must disclose the existence of the financial interest and the executive committee or the board will then meet to determine if a conflict exists. The minutes of the board and all committees shall contain the names of persons who disclosed or have been found to have a conflict of interest. Also in the minutes will contain the names of all members present and votes taken in connection with the proceedings.”

“The ceo has not received an increase to his compensation for six years so no review has been necessary. The executive director received his last increase to compensation in 2014 and the chairman of the board and a board member analyzed the asu non profit compensation survey and utilized several studies on the internet to evaluate an appropriate increase for the executive director. These reviews were presented to the board and the ceo acted accordingly to the outcome of the ed's annual appraisal.”

“The form 990 and financial statements are both available to the public upon request, along with governing documents and the conflict of interest policy. The 990 and financial statements are also posted on the organization's website when completed and approved by the board.”

“South phoenix promise neighborhood: mentorkids usa was founded in 1997 as a one-to-one mentoring organization. After 13 years of successful 1-to-1 youth mentoring and watching the challenges faced by our youth increase over time, we realized that in order to truly make a transformative impact we have to reach not only the youth but also their families and neighborhoods. Out of this desire to effect transformative changes through relationships the promise neighborhood strategy was born: mentorkids identifies neighborhoods in high-risk areas and seeks to mentor on 3 tiers - youth, family, and community. Our two promise neighborhoods are: 1. South phoenix (near 32nd street and broadway); 2. North phoenix "palomino" (near 32nd street and greenway). Phoenix has the highest rate of disconnected youth in the country at 19% (1 in 5). Disconnected youth are young people, ages 16 - 24, who are neither in school nor working (measure of america: one in seven report, 2013). This is the direct result of children growing up in neighborhoods with high poverty rates (55% of our promise neighborhood residents live in poverty), low adult academic achievement (only 55% of the promise neighborhood residents age 25 and over have a high school diploma compared to 80% nationally), a high unemployment rate, low academic performance (for example, our local south phoenix elementary school is in the bottom 5% in the state in reading), limited access to affordable supportive programs, and a lack of spiritual guidance. Without proper support and guidance our phoenix children are becoming "disconnected and unproductive adults. Mentorkids usa provides youth with a hope for their future and helps them develop their full god-given potential through caring adult relationships and effective programs. Our promise neighborhoods are in different stages of development with south phoenix being the most advanced. We believe that if we create the right environment and provide appropriate support, youth will naturally develop their full god-given potential. With this goal in mind, our current programs include: 1-on-1 mentoring and small group mentoring, christian after school programs and dynamic summer enrichment programs, youth gardening and athletics, parenting workshops and clubs, and asset based community development. Currently, we primarily work with youth in grades 1 - 8 but are expanding programming as our children grow older. Most importantly, our programs are working. For example, last year 83% of our after school students increased their reading scores, 86% increased their writing scores, 73% increased their science and math scores, and 97% said they had a deeper relationship with god. Last summer, 77% of our summer enrichment program students either maintained or increased their reading level over the summer months while their peers lost, on average, 2 to 3 months of reading. In addition, 76% of south phoenix neighborhood residents surveyed report that they are more engaged in their neighborhood as a direct result of our community development projects. Our youth programs directly impact approximately 250 children each year. In addition, our parent (family) and community programs impact an additional 300 individuals (conservatively).”