Wahpeton businesses join forces for a good cause

Wahpeton, ND (WDAY TV) - Some children in the southern valley will now have more people to look up to. A fairly new effort with small businesses in Wahpeton joined forces to make money and spend it on a good cause.

It's the 2nd annual Shop at Home event, designed to give people in the Wahpeton area a look at dozens of different home based businesses. The project was created to benefit a youth mentoring program.

“It's definitely a win-win situation, were helping these businesses and we're helping kinship at the same time.”

Richland Wilkin Kinship is a one on one youth mentoring program. Volunteers on average spend around 1 hour a week with a youngster. Every business taking part donated one item for a silent auction. All the money raised will go to Kinship.

“The biggest thing that we really want to get there is just some contacts with some potential mentors.”

Kinship Director Rebecca Christenson says research shows mentoring programs are proven to work. That's why events like this are so important, to spread more awareness. Kinship has been around Wahpeton for 25 years, but recently has really started to expand.

“Hard to grow up these days and every kid needs mentors and every kid needs support. Some kids have more of a natural support system around them than others, so for the ones who need some extra adult support that's those kids are perfect for Kinship.”

Christenson says since the program continues to grow they are always looking for more volunteers. If you'd like to help out you can get a hold of the Richland Wilkin Kinship at 701-672-0303.