Giving kids hope! Caring Christian mentors are matched with at-risk elementary students who are desperate for one caring and faithful adult in their lives.

"e;Cara, this is Miss Marilyn and she's your KIDS HOPE USA mentor."e;

1st grader Cara immediately dived under the table in the library as her teacher was making introductions. The teacher had explained earlier to Miss Marilyn that Cara had been held back a year because she was only student in the class who couldn't read. Her embarrassment compounded her lack of self-esteem and sent Cara under the table.

Miss Marilyn didn't hesitate. She dove under the table next to Cara. And that's where they met one hour every week of that school year, and the first 3 weeks of the next.

"e;You can learn a lot about someone when you spend 33 hours together under a table. And I discovered that I already knew this fragile child. She was me--32 years earlier,"e; said Marilyn. "e;We both had alcoholic parents who gave us no emotional nurture and never encouraged us to learn. Cara's parents and mine had only one expectation for our futures: get pregnant and drop out of school.

"e;My 7th grade teacher made a difference in my life by believing in me and telling me I could succeed. I wanted to be that person for Cara.

"e;Cara's in middle school now and we talk about college and dating and the future. Because I stuck by her under the table, she trusts me and we are friends. I am so thankful for the KIDS HOPE USA opportunity to share Christ's love with this vulnerable child."e;