A Joyous Reunion
March 29, 2021, Lori Dossett
Our site-based youth mentoring program is similar to our traditional community-based programming, where caring adult mentors (Bigs) are paired with children (Littles) to spend time together and develop a supportive relationship. The difference is that instead of meeting in the community as in our traditional program, site-based matches meet at a consistent time and place throughout the school year. Matches typically meet at the Little’s school or the Big’s workplace to explore fun and educational activities facilitated by BBBS staff.
Most of our site-based matches were unable to meet this school year due to pandemic restrictions, resulting in hundreds of Littles being physically disconnected from their Bigs for many months. Our amazing match team has been working diligently to find creative ways to keep matches engaged.
As schools return to in-person classes, we were able to resume some site-based programs, such as the one at Dayton’s Bluff Elementary School in St. Paul. The administration is very supportive of BBBS and has made accommodations to allow our youth mentoring program to meet virtually over the lunch hour.
Last month, 12 Littles who wouldn’t otherwise have been able to participate in our program are now back to meeting virtually with their Bigs! This joyous reunion wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing support from our friends at Dayton’s Bluff and the dedicated volunteer Bigs from Macalester College and University of St. Thomas.
According to the BBBS team member who facilitated the session, “it was the highlight of my week!”
