One Hour a Week, a Lifetime of Change

For Home of Hope volunteers, one hour in Kids Club may seem insignificant, but Jim Gibbons has learned that this hour can mean the world to children seeking love, healing and stability.

Jim first experienced the benefits of mentorship in his own life as a young boy. After his father passed away when Jim was six years old, he connected with a “big brother” for one year through Big Brothers Big Sisters. 

“It was definitely a positive experience, and I always wanted to [mentor] another kid like that,” Jim explained.

Four years ago, he began actively seeking opportunities to mentor children. Now, he mentors one middle school and one elementary school student through a school mentoring program, and he meets with another child on the weekends through Mentor Me North Georgia.

But Jim still wanted to do more for more kids.

“I was looking to [mentor] in a group home or with foster kids or kids who have been through difficult times and needed extra help,” he shared.

While searching for more local opportunities to serve, Jim found Home of Hope. Last September, he celebrated one year as a Kids Club volunteer. 

Home of Hope’s Kids Club program invites volunteers to connect with kids of various ages while their mothers attend life-skills classes. Kids Club gives mothers a chance to grow together as their children build relationships with volunteers and just be kids! 

“We play with infants and toddlers in one room, and then we usually take the older kids outside to the playground or to the cafeteria to do a craft project or play games,” Jim explained.

“I like making connections with the kids and establishing a relationship with them, even though it’s only an hour a week. Just giving them a positive experience and letting them know other adults support and care about them is really what I enjoy.”

Kids Club’s impact on the children at Home of Hope isn’t something quantifiable like the number of meals served or mothers who have graduated from the program. But throughout his year of volunteering, Jim has witnessed children grow, connect and heal along with their mothers. 

“The kids are going through a stressful time, and that manifests itself in different behavior issues. But over time, you can see some of that behavior change for the better because their environment, their home life, everything that’s happening to them is improving, too,” he said.

Recently, one little boy reminded Jim how important this hour is to the kids at Home of Hope. During one evening at Kids Club, the little boy hugged Jim and then referred to Jim as his father.

“I told him, ‘I can’t be your dad, but I can be your friend,’” Jim said. “I know some of these kids have estranged fathers or male figures in their lives, and they’re looking for those [male role models]. [Volunteers] can, in a small way, fill that role.” 

For kids like this sweet boy, an hour in Kids Club can mean more than volunteers imagine.

“I make a point to try and show up every week, to be consistent, so the kids get to know me better and feel more comfortable,” Jim shared.

“I can’t be with them for their whole lives, but I believe that just giving the kids a positive experience, even if it’s for an hour a week, benefits them.”