Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Centre County is reaching out to the community to help give 50 kids 50 mentors in 50 days.
The need for additional support to help young people avoid risky behaviors and make good choices in life is greater than ever.
Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes, such as educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships.
Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs youth, or Littles, with screened volunteer mentors, or Bigs, and monitors these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout its life.
The “50 in 50 Campaign” in Centre County launched on Jan. 16, which marks “Thank Your Mentor Day,” a day recognized as part of National Mentoring Month. During January each year, national attention is focused on the need for mentors, as well as how everyone – individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and non-profits – can work together to increase the number of mentors to assure positive outcomes for young people.
During the next several weeks, BBBS of Centre County is working on recruiting 50 new volunteers. With more than 100 Littles currently ready to be matched, the goal is to provide a special friendship for as many of these children as possible.
Parents, guardians, counselors and school personnel contact BBBS of Centre County daily wishing to enroll a child into the program. The list of children that are ready to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister grows every day. Unfortunately, potential volunteers do not contact BBBS at the same rate so children tend to have a waiting period for that special someone to come into their life. The aim is to limit the wait time of these young people; to get them matched with the special person to help them succeed in life.
At its most basic level, mentoring helps because it guarantees a young person that there is someone who cares about them. A child is not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges.
Think back. Did you know how to study for a test or make plans for college? Do you remember wanting your first car or looking for a part-time job? Simple things that seem easy or straightforward to you now may appear to be a complete mystery to a young person.
The number of ways mentoring can help a youth are as varied as the people involved in each program. While the lists and statistics can be impressive, personal stories can be even more impressive.
Take, for example, the story of Nate and Anna. Nate was 9 years old when he was matched in 2008 in the BBBS of Centre County program. He was matched with Big Sister Anna, a senior in high school at the time. Nate was a kid who kept to himself and avoided interactions with peers. He was referred to the program because he didn’t know how to have appropriate conversations or how to relate to his classmates.
Change made Nate uncomfortable and often resulted in frustration. To the outside observer, the match between Nate and Anna looked like an unlikely pairing – how could a fifth-grade boy who was absorbed in video games and struggled having conversations share common interests with a bubbly, energetic 17-year-old girl? Five years later, what initially seemed like a mismatch now appears to be a life-changing friendship.
In spite of their differences, the two developed a bond. Their bond has strengthened throughout the years, and expressing emotions appropriately has become much easier for Nate – especially with Anna. Nate is always excited to spend time Anna and share his creations with her. Anna is happy to just sit and listen to Nate’s imagination unfold.
As a result of their relationship, Nate is able to adjust to change in a calm, more comfortable way. He has been encouraged by Anna to be himself and form friendships through genuine interactions. Nate is better able to articulate his thoughts and be patient with others.
The story of Nate and Anna is one of hundreds that happen every day through the local BBBS program. This is the time to thank those volunteers like Anna who have truly made a difference in a young person’s life. It is also the time to spread the word that more volunteers like Anna are desperately needed.
For more information on how to get involved, please contact (814) 237-5731 or e-mail bbbsnews@ccysb.com
