BRATTLEBORO — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Vermont (BBBSVT) has issued an urgent call to action to find 60 Bigs in 60 Days, urging adults throughout the state to volunteer and become a Big to one of more than 60 children ready and waiting for a mentor.
“Mentoring is fun, flexible, and a powerful way to make a real difference in one's community by providing guidance and support to a young person, igniting their potential for a bright future,” representatives of the nonprofit organization said in a news release.
BBBSVT is dedicated to defending the potential of children and youth through one-to-one mentoring, an evidence-based method of prevention that keeps kids engaged, builds resilience, and helps to mitigate the negative effects of trauma.
Youth “Littles” are between the ages of 6 and 18. Mentor “Bigs” are all ages, from college students to retirees. The one-to-one “matches” meet two to three times a month and establish connections through simple activities and outings. Community-based and school-based options are available.
“Adults often feel uncertain of their ability to mentor a youth, what to do during their time with a child, and how they could fit mentoring into their schedule,” says Kimberley Diemond, executive director. “However, this volunteer opportunity is flexible for people with busy schedules, and some employers will even grant paid time off during the workday while employees volunteer.”
Bigs and Littles can enjoy all sorts of activities together, including hiking, biking, group sports, reading, crafting, visiting a farm or museum, sharing a meal together, or engaging in other activities that prospective volunteers already participate in and would like to share with a young person, says Diemond.
BBBSVT also provides training and ongoing support from professional staff who pair each Big with a compatible Little. Bigs sign on for one year but can remain matched with their Little for a longer period if all parties wish to continue in the program.
The goal of this campaign is to recruit 60 mentors between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31 to end the wait for young people looking to be matched and to support them through the transition back to in-person learning at school.
Evidence shows that youth matched in a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program are 46 percent less likely to use illegal substances, 27 percent less likely to use alcohol, and 52 percent less likely to skip school. Littles also show improved self-esteem and feelings that they matter within their communities.