RHK Volunteer Spotlight: Mike McAndrew

My name is Mike. I grew up in Crystal Lake, IL, and graduated college at SIU. I am the finance coordinator for Rock House Kids, but my most important job is being a father to my three sons and a devoted husband to my beautiful wife, Laura. I enjoy fishing and recharging my batteries sitting on the beach, listening to the waves.

I love volunteering as a mentor with the teen boys on Tuesdays and sharing Jesus with them.

What keeps me coming back? The Kids! The honest questions they ask, the moments you see that spark, seeing them grow - not just in maturity, but in their faith. And, making new connections, when a kid you say “Hi” to for months finally says “Hi” back, or gives you a fist bump, they open up about their day at school and ask for some help.

I would tell anyone thinking about volunteering to be patient. It takes time to build trust and a relationship. But, if you put in the time and show up, even when things get tough, it’s worth it - knowing you might have played a small part in a kid's life and helped them grow in their relationship with God.

The work God does at Rock House Kids is amazing. It's not easy at times, but long-lasting things that are worth the effort aren't easy. I have seen some RHK kids make huge steps in their lives. I’ve also seen past Rock House Kids come back to share what a lasting difference RHK made in their lives, and that's what it's all about.