Kids ‘n Kinship provides friendships and positive role models to children and youth ages 5-16 who are in need of an additional supportive relationship with an adult. Here’s one of the youth waiting for a mentor:

First name: Bryce

Age: 13

Interests: Bryce enjoys music and has picked up an interest in art. He also enjoys arcades, board games, video games, Lego sets, and CATS — he likes cats a lot! He has really gotten into reading this summer and enjoys the genres of suspense, mystery and horror. He likes Stephen King books right now.

Personality/Characteristics: Bryce is diagnosed with autism, and is a highly intelligent, well-spoken teenager. He does struggle with social cues, interactions and expression. He has learned many skills to navigate change and large social settings. He is home-schooled. His mom describes him as talkative. He describes himself as: empathetic, passionate, insightful, direct and a defender of those he loves.

Goals/dreams: Mom and Bryce are seeking a mentor who can help him learn social skills and improve his self-esteem as well as develop critical thinking skills to navigate challenging situations in a more positive way. He would love a mentor with pets and a mentor who would help him volunteer (especially at an animal shelter). He also wants a mentor who will help him be more active as he tends to isolate and admittedly is not very active. His three wishes are to: 1) End all animal abuse 2) To have a family friend back as they passed from cancer 3) Travel to Paris or Russia (as he has heritage from there).

For more information: Bryce is waiting for a mentor through Kids n’ Kinship in Dakota County. To learn more about this youth mentoring program and the 42+ youth waiting for a mentor, sign up for an Information Session, visit www.kidsnkinship.org or email programs@kidsnkinship.org. For more information about mentoring in the Twin Cities outside of Dakota County, contact MENTOR MN at mentor@mentormn.org or fill out a brief form at www.mentoring.org/take-action/become-a-mentor/#search.