KnackForge: The Mentoring Alliance Mission

Knackforge cares about having a positive impact within its local communities, both in the US and India. Recently, the Strout's had an opportunity to visit The Mentoring Alliance, an organization that Knackforge has had the privilege of supporting for several years. Mentoring Alliance is a Christ-centered, multi-ethnic ministry serving children and families in East Texas. They connect godly people with families in our community to provide high-quality after-school programs, summer camps, and dedicated mentoring relationships. The three key programs they have created to accomplish this mission are Mentoring Alliance After School, Mentoring Alliance Summer Camps, and Mentoring Alliance Mentor Connect. 

The Mentoring Alliance After-School program eases the challenge of working parents who are in need of a safe place for their children to go when the school day is finished but the working day continues. Through this program, after-school mentors help students with homework and academic studies so they can enjoy more family time at the end of the day. Parents have the assurance of knowing their children are in a safe, fun environment surrounded by qualified, compassionate mentors while they are working. 

The second program is Mentoring Alliance Summer Camp program. Summer break can be a hardship for many parents in our community who are in need of an affordable place for their children to spend time while they work. The Mentoring Alliance saw this need and created a summer camp to meet it. Trustworthy staff is recruited from all over the country to share Christ’s love and have fun with elementary students in East Texas. The daily agenda is full of energy and fun with dancing, water games, and learning in a creative environment. Parents and teachers both have expressed the impact that continued learning has had as their students return to school in the fall.   

Lastly, the Mentoring Alliance Mentor Connect program is a unique program that equips, trains, and supports volunteers as they mentor children. This program creates a lasting impact on the children and young teens, building strong character, compassion, and resilience within them. These committed mentoring relationships are mutually transforming for both the mentee and mentors which in turn create positive change within our community. 

All three programs support the growth of children intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally with exciting and engaging activities led by people who desire to demonstrate the love of Christ to children. Knackforge is so incredibly proud of the work being done at The Mentoring Alliance and feels privileged to be a part of it.