IAM4kids mentoring is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, faith-based mentoring program that works in conjunction with the local school board to provide one-on-one mentoring to those in need of guidance. We are currently active in Lawrence County, Tenn.
We are working with other communities to expand the success of this proven mentoring model. Learn more about how to start an IAM4kids program here.
Mission
To provide an atmosphere for emotional, physical and spiritual healing so each child can identify potential and fulfill their purpose.
Vision
Imparting character and value through one on one relationships.
Our Core Values
- Jesus Christ is our only hope for salvation, maturity, and eternally useful service.
- All ministry is begun, empowered, and directed by God as we seek His will in prayer
- The Bible is God’s authoritative Word.
- The Church is God’s earthly institution, ordained to minister his name. In her every endeavor, she points to Jesus Christ.
- Everyone is created by God in His image and, therefore, each one is valued by Him.
- We believe the best way to communicate God’s love, truth, and righteousness on the mission field is through personal one-on-one relationships.
- All who receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord should have the opportunity to be welcome into His church and discipled in His love and truth.
- We depend on the spirit of God to help us discern people’s core needs and assist in meeting them. We seek to do so in a way that encourages a dependence on God, His church, and His biblical mandate to work to sustain ourselves and to serve others.
Board of Directors
- Steve Seaton – Executive Director
- Theresa Beck – President/Treasurer
- Gabriel Dixon – Vice President
- Mickey Dunn – School Board
- Anthony Potts – Pastor
- Gary Vance – Pastor
History and Purpose
IAM4kids began in 1996 when Theresa Beck led a Bible study for a group of women and a 4-year-old hugged her legs and asked if she could join them. The next week two children showed up. On week three, Theresa brought a blanket and some food from her pantry for a parking lot picnic with six children.
Theresa decided to meet with these children every week after her ladies Bible study. For weeks, it was just Theresa and her mom meeting with the kids.
Next, Theresa started visiting the students at the local elementary school where she read to them in the library. Within months other churches, civic groups, the court system and teachers were bringing food, financial support and volunteer help to the schools.
At the end of the first year, there were 45 kids and 19 volunteers. The next year, older students began visiting her parking lot picnic, so Theresa began meeting at the local high school as well as the elementary school.
Theresa also visited the juvenile court where she spoke to families in need.
She then began taking students with her to host an activity time for the residents to develop their servant’s hearts.
After the Columbine High School shootings, the Lawrence County High School principal, Mickey Dunn, invited Theresa to speak to students and to meet with them during lunch.
That one little hug led to an established mentoring program for kids in the court system, the schools and in housing developments.
In 2006, I heard that the local schools were not open to churches but they were open to IAM4kids clubs due to its long-established relationship with the faculty, staff and students. The school felt comfortable around the IAM4kids organization because they never entered the school to push a church, hand out literature or advertise church activities. The volunteers were simply there to be a listening ear to those who were hurting.
We decided at this point to restructure the IAM4kids mission and vision and to work together to bring positive relationships to the kids in our community’s lives. We refocused the IAM4kids organization to provide mentoring (group and one-on-one) to the schools, court system and other areas of our community.
Achievement Academy
We heard that the Achievement Academy, an alternative school for students who’d been expelled from the public school system, were looking for volunteers to speak to the kids about character qualities needed for success.
Once we identified this need, we immediately stepped up to assist the school – on its terms. Once I arrived to speak to the students, we suggested that if the school wanted to see long-term change, it would be more productive to establish a long-term relationship with IAM4kids than to have me speak one time and leave.
We began working with the students at Achievement Academy through a “group time” where we played games, watched movies and held discussions on character development. During this time, we began to build relationships through listening to their struggles, identifying with their pain and sharing many laughs.
We also began eating lunch at school with the students regularly with no other motive than to spend more time with them.
During the pilot program time, we never mentioned our churches, our titles or our youth activities. But after many months, many students started asking us questions about our churches and if they could attend. This resulted in many of the kids visiting a few times, some staying for many church events, and even a few finding salvation. The ultimate outcome was that all the students who attended received a healthy picture of Christ.
Expanding the Program
After more than a year of work at the alternative school, the Lawrence County School Board noticed the “changed environment.” They asked if we could branch out into the rest of the school system. They had even researched options beforehand and asked if we were interested in attending a faith-based mentoring conference in Nashville at their cost.
After I returned from the conference, Mickey Dunn, principal of Lawrence County High School, was quite interested in our work. He asked us what we needed to implement the IAM4kids program into his school the following year.
During the 2007-2008 school year, we were given full access to the high school and offered an after-school IAM4kids club. Students were able to attend the club to “make up” for absences. We also taught character development in all the freshmen wellness classes (300+ freshmen per year).
In the wellness classes, we teach about the five different types of fathers and how we get our self-esteem and image of God from them. And during the club we open with food, snacks, and drinks, play games, watch movies, etc. The end goal is to simply establish relationship and model the love of Christ. They are taught the power of choice and choosing to become a victor rather than a victim.
An Exciting New Ministry Develops
Mickey Dunn stepped down as principal the next year to oversee the Truancy Board, which monitors school attendance and aims to prevent high school drop-outs. IAM4kids was asked to serve on this board and help provide mentors and resources to vulnerable students. Many families were referred to us and we were able to meet with many of these kids on a weekly basis during school hours.
At the end of the 2008-2009 school year, we had 8 mentors lined up to meet with individual students. This model is still in place today. Each mentor is screened receives a background check through the school system and training from IAM4kids. Then, they are allowed to pull a child from a class or at lunch once a week. Their job is to simply listen and love.
Our mentors are not trained counselors or theologians. They come from different denominations and do not push church or religion. But through loving these children and modeling the love of Christ many will come to know Him and seek to develop a relationship with their new brothers and sisters in Christ.
Yours in Christ,
Steve Seaton
Executive Director, IAM4kids
Program Timeline
