One Hour Per Week

At Youth Horizons, we believe that the simplest gestures of consistency can make the biggest difference in a child’s life. That’s what makes our Lunch Buddy program so impactful and so easy to join. By meeting with a student just once a week during their school lunch period, Christian mentors provide encouragement, friendship, and stability that young people in our greater Wichita community deeply need.

Lunch Buddies don’t need to prepare lessons or activities. They just show up, share a meal, listen, share a laugh, and remind a child that they matter. That consistent presence helps kids grow in confidence and resilience.

Celebrating New Lunch Buddy Matches

This month, we are excited to welcome several new mentor-protege pairs into the program:

• Dallas and Enoch – Sixth grader Enoch and his mentor, Dallas Hewett from Eastminster Church, built a strong connection as reading buddies for the past two years at Washington Elementary. Now, at Curtis Middle School, they’re continuing their friendship through the Youth Horizons Lunch Buddy program.
• Kathy and Graycee – After a family move interrupted their match last year, third grader Graycee is thrilled to be reunited with mentor Kathy Killingsworth, also from Eastminster Church. Kathy has faithfully volunteered with Youth Horizons for over four years, and her steady presence means so much as Graycee settles back in at Washington Elementary.
• Conny and Farishta – We recently matched sixth grader Farishta with Conny Paulsen at Mead Middle School. You guessed it. Conny is also from Eastminster. Conny is German by family heritage, but she and Farishta connected instantly when they discovered Conny also speaks a familiar Afghan language. Conny is already planning to bring a map to their next lunch to share where both of their stories began.

These stories remind us that even a small amount of time, offered with consistency and care, can open doors to meaningful relationships that guide our community’s kids toward brighter futures and a healthier Wichita.

You Can Be a Mentor Too

Becoming a Lunch Buddy is simple, but the impact is lifelong. If you or someone you know would like to positively affect a young person’s life – whether in the school setting or through community mentoring – we invite you to take the next step.

Lunch and Learn
Friday, October 24
12 noon – 1pm
Youth Horizons Office, 125 S. Washington, Suite 200
Lunch is provided

RSVP HERE

Because the health of our community tomorrow depends on the hope we give our youth today.