By Patrick Raftis and Kelly Waterhouse
WELLINGTON COUNTY – If ever there was time for young people to need mentors, the last year has been it, and volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters in both Centre Wellington (BBBSCW) and north Wellington (BBBSNW) have stepped up to offer support in difficult times.
Like many service groups, Big Brothers Big Sisters groups are finding ways to fulfil their mandate through these difficult times.
“Our Bigs and Littles have continued to meet, either through phone calls, text messages or virtually,” said Teri Dykeman, in-school mentor and fundraising coordinator for the Mount Forest-based BBBSNW.
“When allowed, in-person contact has taken place and all public health guidelines have been followed regarding safety (distancing, wearing masks etc.). The method of contact is dependent on the comfort level of the parent, child and Big. We continue to run some of our group programs through Zoom,” she explained.
“Our mentors have been an ear to the ground for youth and families who are otherwise isolated,” said Jennifer Kraus, mentoring coordinator with Fergus-based BBBSCW. This includes both the Big-Little matches and in-school mentorships.
“Mentors have been mindful of public health and respectful of the decisions parents and guardians make when it comes COVID safety. This means changing how they connect with their youth, ranging from meeting outdoors or via video platforms,” Kraus explained.
“Many of our mentors started to connect with the youth through SMS (short message services) like Messenger Kids, text and iMessage. “
“Mentors dropped care packages, set up scavenger hunts in their Little’s yard, waved through the window. They showed up!” Kraus said.
With schools moving to online-learning formats, BBBSCW’s in-school mentorship program was impacted.
“What I think is amazing is those mentors who stepped out of the safety of an in-school match and started meeting youth to continue support outside the classroom,” Kraus said.
Dykeman noted that for the past year, BBBSNW personnel have been working primarily from home and conducting most in-person meetings virtually or through phone calls.
“On occasion, when introducing a new Big and Little, it has been done outside in the yard and socially distanced and masked, when not in lockdown,” said Dykeman.
While the pandemic has not substantially increased or decreased the need for the organization’s services, Dykeman says “it has been challenging for some to maintain closeness with the forced distancing and isolation and we have lost a couple of matches due to the pandemic.”
However, she noted, “The majority of our matches have been able to maintain some form of contact until they can be together again in person.
“Our volunteer Bigs are wonderful and try very hard to keep contact of some sort with their Littles to ensure they know they are still there to support them.”
BBBS North Wellington presently has about 20 active matches, seven Littles on the wait list and three Bigs undergoing the application process.
“Our numbers are always fluid with new applications for Littles and Bigs coming in and being matched and more applying. We always have more Littles than we have Bigs so we are always looking for volunteers,” Dykeman noted.
The biggest impact of the pandemic on the organization to this point, has been financial.
“This is been the area where we have been hit the hardest. Our matches have continued to be made and monitored and some group programs run, but all of our fundraising events have had to be cancelled over the last year. We are working on new ways to fundraise using the virtual format, letter campaigns and devising new fundraising events,” said Dykeman.
“Our greatest needs are financial right now,” says Dykeman, noting donations can be made by several methods:
– by mail to Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Wellington, 110 Wellington St. E, P.O. Box 1311, Mount Forest, ON, N0G 2L0;
– through the organization’s website: https://northwellington.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca; or
– via e-transfer to: office_bbbs@wightman.ca.
“As always, we are also in need of volunteer Big Brothers or Big Sisters,” said Dykeman, adding that information about programs and how to apply can be found at: https://northwellington.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca.
“Our volunteers are absolutely the best and we are so thankful for the wonderful friendship and mentoring they supply to our children and youth,” said Dykeman.
Ensuring volunteers have continued support, Kraus said BBBSCW administrators do regular check-in calls, to assist with any challenges. They offer safe activity suggestions in line with public health orders and offer a “Big Take Away” monthly talk series on whatever topics the Bigs feel would best support their Littles. Plus, they offer monthly virtual events so matches can take part with no planning involved.
“We have three Group Bigs who volunteer to plan and support our monthly group activities for our matches to enjoy,” Kraus said. “We also have volunteer committees that support our initiatives with events, recruitment, fund development, human resources, and board development.”
BBBSCW currently has 37 Bigs working in a 1:1 match with youth, with nine more adults lined up to start new matches. While that is a positive number, there are 15 youth waiting for mentorship. One of the challenges in matches is finding Big Brothers.
“Male mentors make a big impression on young men, and there is a growing need for good male developmental relationships,” Kraus said, noting all volunteers make a big difference for a youth who needs another positive role model in their life.
Kraus said advocates are also needed for the essential service BBBSCW provides.
“Mentoring is a critical prevention and intervention service. Public health measures, critical to the safety of our population, have led to the necessary closure of many facilities where people form and grow their relationships, including places and spaces that support vulnerable children and youth in need,” Kraus said.
“Now, more than ever, children and families are facing increased anxiety, stress, fear, loneliness and isolation.
“If we do not work together to fight the unprecedented levels of social isolation of the most vulnerable youth, the long-term consequences will be widespread.”
For more information on volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters Centre Wellington, visit centrewellington.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca or call 519-787-0106.
BBBSCW is located at 900 Tower Street S., Unit 100A in Fergus.
