El Dorado Principal, Tai Schoeman, thanks our congregation’s commitment to his school over the past three years better than we can. The partnership is transformative for both City Church and the underfunded K-5 elementary school.

"Dear City Church, I want to thank you once again for your support and dedication to the El Dorado community. The murals have lifted the spirits of our vision and the KIDS HOPE mentors have lifted the souls of our students and staff. We look forward to our continued partnership."

The success of different communities working together affirms City Hope’s efforts to invest people and resources into areas of the City on the margins, a clear example of how God works through diversity. Not only is El Dorado on the geographic margins of San Francisco, between John McLaren Park and Bay View, it is also on the socio-economic margins. According to the SF Gate, the largest and most violent housing projects are the Sunnydale projects where many of the El Dorado students reside.

Due to lacking resources and the difficult environment, most of these adorable El Dorado students face more hardship than many adults ever face. The KIDS HOPE model: one church, one school, one child, one hour. This model has been seeing dramatic results since 1993, but it is special every time a child changes before their teacher and mentor’s eyes.

“In our six weeks or so together, Rickey has really opened up and relaxed around me. He has gone from shy and quiet, to happy and playful. His personality continues to come out more and more and the smiles come much easier,” recounts mentor Aaron Zimmerman. The experience for mentors is equally rich and has strengthened the relationship allowing City Hope to find other ways to invest in our friends up on the hill.

As students sharpen their number #2 pencils, mentors are getting ready to go back to school, elementary school. The tangible impact KIDS HOPE volunteers from City Church make is causing teachers and administrators to request more mentors. Five children who need extra attention are waiting to benefit from spending an hour a week with a caring adult.

To support the mentoring relationships, Kids Hope is also looking for an organized, friendly person to event plan a kickoff and end of the year celebration for mentees, mentors, and prayer partners. Though the leaves are falling, it is not too late to submit an application to be a mentor for the 2011-2012 school year! Email cityhope@citychurchsf.org for more information.