NATCHEZ — What does a water slide and a barbecue dinner have to do with helping kids stay out of trouble?

Everything, Mentor Program Director Chuck Mayfield said.

Would-be mentors and mentored children got to know each other better Saturday afternoon at a party at Duncan Park.

The program, facilitated through the Adams County Coalition for Children and Youth, is aimed at mentoring children who have parents in jail.

The mentors will join training sessions within the next two weeks.

Saturday was an opportunity for the children and their families to meet the mentors.

Younger children slid down an inflatable water slide while some of the mentors helped set out the food.

For Matthew Henderson, who volunteered to become a mentor, joining the program was a chance to continue doing what he’s always done — helping younger children.

“It’s really an opportunity, I guess, to reach out and show them that there’s hope,” Henderson said. “I just want everyone to have an awesome life.”

Henderson, who serves as a youth minister at his church, said his father and his own youth pastor served as role models for him.

Now, it’s his turn, he said.

“I just want everyone to have an awesome life, and if they can do that through God, maybe I can help,” he said.

A 16-year-old boy was one of the first to get paired with a mentor. He’s pretty excited about the possibilities, he said.

“I was getting in trouble, and my dad’s in prison, so I was talking with Mr. Chuck (Mayfield). He mentioned (the program), and it sounded good,” he said.

He hopes having a mentor will help him, he said.

“(It’s) someone I can talk to whenever I need to,” he said. “Someone I can rely on.”

Mentor Jeanine Wickham, a fiscal officer with the county youth court, said she felt pulled to join the program.

“So many kids come through the youth court,” Wickham said. “Some have a caring parent, but that parent is working to support the family, and they just need someone else to step up to the plate.”

About 20 children have already signed up to be part of the program, but they only have 10 mentors so far, Case Manager Alethia Lawrence said.

“We really still need quality mentors to volunteer,” Lawrence said.

Mentors and children must commit to the program for one year.

To volunteer, call Mayfield at 601-304-7861.