Kim Miller, a sophomore at the University of West Alabama (UWA) already has a mission in life.
“I am concerned about the literacy rate and the emotional needs of the underprivileged children of Sumter County,” the 20-year-old said. Putting her concern into action, the tenacious coed established Sonshine Kids.
Miller, who attends Bigbee Association’s York Baptist Church, is a UWA sociology and psychology major from Mobile.
She has worked several summers with the Alabama Rural Ministry — an interfaith ministry that repairs homes and provides summer activities for children.
“I discovered that the children need attention during the whole year, not just during the summer months,” Miller observed, adding, “That’s why Sonshine Kids was created.
“I’m working with the student life office, writing bylaws and other organizational work,” she explained. “I’m also enlisting volunteers and raising funds.”
Miller said she took the name ‘Sonshine’ to reflect Christian values. “Though we have spiritual values, we will be an organization that is not a part of any other campus religious organization,” she stated. “I welcome all volunteers from the student body.”
Miller said the volunteers help the underprivileged children with reading skills as well as serving as mentors. “During our first semester, we have 40 people who signed up to volunteer,” she said.
Miller is currently working to enlist more student volunteers for the upcoming school year.
She said qualifications for being a mentor are minimal. “The student must give three hours a week, provide his or her own transportation and have previous experience with children,” she explained. “The student must also provide references,” she added.
Miller said she is using life skills from other missions experiences to help with this effort. For instance, in March 2002, she traveled to Honduras on a missions trip with York Baptist Church. “I took my Sonshine Kids skills to Honduras and brought back insights I gained on the trip to use here,” she said.
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