More About Us
Kinship Partners is a member of the Kinship Affiliate Network. The first Kinship program was begun in 1954 as the Christian ministry of four theological students at Luther Seminary in the Twin Cities. These students befriended some boys in a tough Minneapolis neighborhood who were in need of a positive influence. They weren’t trying to evangelize or act as psychologists or counselors to these boys. They simply wanted to be their friend, to reach out to the less fortunate, and make a difference in their lives.
Kinship Partners is a nonprofit youth mentoring organization providing positive role models to youth in Perham area since 1996.
Angie Schreader
Angie Schreader lives in Perham and is excited to serve as one of the directors at Kinship. After spending three years living in Florida, she returned to the Perham area a year ago for the strong sense of community and the opportunity to raise her children in a place where families and connections truly matter. She is married and a proud parent of three.
Angie has worked in school-based roles for 20 years and is currently completing her Master of Social Work degree. Her background also includes several years working in juvenile corrections, county systems, and nonprofit settings, which has shaped her strong interest in supporting children and families through connection, advocacy, and collaboration. Angie served as a Kinship board member from 2014 to 2017. She values the positive impact mentoring can have on youth and the community.
Outside of work, Angie enjoys traveling and getting back to the Gulf Coast beaches of Florida as often as possible, where she enjoys visiting family and friends.
Courtney Rooney
Courtney Rooney is a mental health professional (LICSW, MSW) who is passionate about supporting individuals, families, and communities. Born and raised in Perham, Minnesota, Courtney is proud to give back to the place that shaped her. She currently works at Lakeland Mental Health Center within Perham Schools, doing therapy with children and their families, and with KLN Family Brands as a Dream Manager, where she enjoys helping people grow both personally and professionally. She has been back in Perham for almost twenty years! Courtney is married to her husband, Nathan, and together they have five children—Noah, Natalie, Ty, Josie, and Paisley. She enjoys watching her kids at their events, camping, working out, and catching up over coffee with friends. Above all, Courtney values meaningful connections and quality family time.
Mary Karkela
Mary Karkela taught Family and Consumer Science at Perham High School for 25 years. Prior to teaching, she raised two great daughters, Katie and Holly, along with her husband, Terry. After retiring in 2021, she devoted her time to her husband, Terry, who passed away in 2024. She has 4 fantastic grandchildren whom she spends as much time with as she can.
She is extremely happy to be working with Kinship of the Perham area. Our future depends on our youth, and Kinship inspires and encourages students to be their best while forming lifelong bonds. Much of the curriculum Mary taught centered on the importance of strong bonds between youth and adults in the youth’s formative years. Kinship instills bonds that promote a strong, active community.
Mary and her husband mentored a Kinship student for 6 years. That was a rewarding experience to form a bond with her and watch her grow into a successful young woman with a career and family of her own. Mary will support other Kinship volunteers in participating in activities that positively influence youth and strengthen meaningful connections. She looks forward to encouraging community members to get involved with Kinship and build lasting relationships.
FAQ
How are children chosen to be Kinship Partners?
Children ages 5-17 from Perham and the surrounding area are served by Kinship Partners mentoring program. Our program coordinators work hard to create great quality matches, initially lasting for one year, but potentially lasting a lifetime and having an important impact on the life of a young person. We believe that every child benefits from additional adult role models.
Who can be mentors in the program?
Kinship Partners is unique among mentoring programs in that we encourage not only individuals but also couples and families to become mentors for children. All Mentors are screened and trained.
Am I good enough to be a role model?
Children are not looking for perfection. Rather, they’re just interested in spending time with real people who might be able to share from their experience and enjoy including them on the journey. We have discovered that “ordinary” people can make extraordinary mentors.
What is the time commitment?
Partners are encouraged to spend time together each week, two to three hours a week is recommended. Mentors tell us that including the child in what they were already planning, takes a minimal amount of additional time from their weekly schedule. We have heard from many volunteers that the rewards often surpass their investment of time.
I don’t know if I could afford to take a child out once a week, or every other week?
Kinship Partners stresses “everyday” activities. We have discovered that time together is the most valuable resource adults can provide. This might involve playing a board game, making a meal, doing odd jobs around the house, washing the car, flying a kite at the park, fishing, etc. Children do need exposure to special events and fun outings too and Kinship participants receive discounts at a number of community businesses and organizations. Kinship Partners also plans activities that are free of charge or minimal cost for both the mentor(s) and the child.
What if I go on vacation or am a “Snow Bird”?
The children in our program enjoy receiving postcards, emails or phone calls from many of our volunteers that travel in the winter. Although it is great when volunteers are able to select a constant weekly meeting time with their kids, for many it needs to vary from week to week.
I feel I’m too busy with my own family to be a mentor.
One of the great things about Kinship Partners is that couples and families can volunteer together. Instead of pulling families apart, mentoring can strengthen them through their common volunteer involvement. Whether it is your own children, or perhaps grandchildren, they can interact with your Kinship mentee as well.
Would a child like me?
An important element of creating long lasting mentoring relationships involves picking the right mentor and mentee. Adult-child matches are carefully made based upon interest, location, gender and other preferences. The child and his/her parent or guardian has the final approval of the volunteer. The Kinship Partners staff consistently monitors the matches and if difficulties arise assistance is provided.
What if I’m matched with a child that I can’t handle?
Our staff will provide full disclosure of the children’s background to prospective volunteers. Some of our kids require more experienced volunteers, but many children simply need a positive adult in their life.
Am I too old to mentor?
Anyone willing to share their time and interests is welcomed. Mentors have the chance to “give something back” to society and future generations.
What if I don’t have much experience with kids?
You do not need to have a lot of experience to be a friend. Mentors serve as role models in instilling universal values such as honesty, respect, trust, and responsibility. Our staff provides ongoing support when questions or concerns arise.
How much personal liability is involved?
Kinship Partners works to diminish participant liability by carefully screening program participants and meets the rigorous Kinship Inc. standards. Kinship Partners has liability insurance which covers volunteers as additionally insured.
How will this influence my own children?
If you have children in the home, Kinship Partners takes them into account when matching you with a child. Mentors and their family have the chance to “give something back” to other children in their community.
Do I have to drive a long distance to be a mentor?
While Kinship Partners serves the Perham and surrounding area, geographic proximity is a key determinant when suggesting potential matches.