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21 February
2002
ELLSWORTH—A local program that matches children with
mentors has nearly doubled in size each year since it was
started in 1998.
The
program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hancock and
Washington Counties, provides mentors (“bigs”) to children
(“littles”) who need adult support and friendship,
according to Karen Brown, program director.
After a
slow beginning in 1998, the number of mentors in 2000 was
at 43. This past year, there were 107 mentors. This year,
the number of mentors has reached nearly 200.
Mentoring programs include community-based and the newer
school-based.
In the
community-based program, mentors spend at least six hours
a month with littles. School-based mentors spend an hour a
week with littles during the school year.
“Partnering with schools has helped significantly,” said
Brown. People can get a taste of what it is like to
mentor. Sometimes, the school-based mentorships turn out
so well that the bigs and littles want to switch to the
community-based program, which allows more freedom for
activities.
Despite
the growth, Big Brothers Big Sisters has a list of
children waiting for mentors.
Men are
particularly needed because boys benefit from having a
male role model and because more women tend to volunteer.
Mentors
are from all walks of life. They range in age from high
school students to senior citizens. Sometimes married
couples are mentors, as in the case of Phyllis and Reggie
Young of Ellsworth.
“What
we’re really looking for are adults interested in
providing friendship to children,” Brown said.
The only
way to fail the child is by not showing up, according to
Brown.
Children
from ages 7 to 14 are eligible for mentors. Parents sign
them up and are interviewed about why they want their
child to have a big brother or big sister.
The Big
Brother Big Sister staff interviews children and mentors
and matches them based on interests and personality.
Once a
staff member matches a child and a mentor, the group meets
with the child’s parents.
If all
parties agree to the match, the fun begins. Game-playing,
art or construction projects and just talking are a few of
the activities bigs and littles can do together.
Kids
have a lot of challenges growing up today. The presence of
a friend who is a good role model is really important,
Brown explained.
The
one-to-one attention is pretty powerful. Grades improve.
Self-esteem and self-confidence rise. A child’s
interactions with classmates and friends improve.
Because
the safety of the children is most important, Big Brothers
Big Sisters runs a criminal background check on all
potential mentors. They check personal references, too.
The
screening process is a little more thorough for the
community-based program than for the school-based program.
Because bigs are able to transport their littles in
automobiles, staff members check driving records and
automobile insurance. Staff members also check a big’s
home since home visits are allowed.
People
should not let the fear of background checks keep them
from applying.
“We’re
looking to screen people in,” Brown said. “The application
process is not onerous. But it is meant to ensure that
someone is going to be safe and consistent.”
Big
Brothers Big Sisters provides training. They talk with
mentors monthly or bimonthly. They hold events for bigs
and littles to get together as a group.
“Even
with just a few hours a month, you can make a big impact,”
Brown said.
For more
information about becoming a big or to sign up your child
to be a little, call 667-5304 ext. 239.
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