Youth Mentoring Program - Big Brothers Big Sisters - Central Minnesota

Mentors can be Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Big Couples, or Big Families Target children include those who: - Exhibit poor social skills - Have few friends their own age - Lack adequate support and attention of a stable adult - Struggle academically - Have a parent/guardian who is or has been incarcerated - Have a family member in the military - Are eligible for free or reduced lunch - Have older siblings who have had significant problems with social or community adjustments - Are living in a single, separated, divorced or remarried family situation - Have a poor self-concept - Are dealing with the loss of or serious illness of a family member Mentoring programs include: Bigs on Campus Initiative: Volunteers spend time with their mentee twice a month over the lunch hour on a local college campus (St. Cloud State, Saint Ben's/Saint John's, or St. Cloud Tech & Community College). Matches spend time together on-campus only attending events, exploring, touring academic departments, and doing fun activities. Community-Based Program: this program allows the volunteer (“Big”) to spend one-to-one time with his or her Little brother or Little Sister (“Little”) out in the community or at home. Bigs spend 1 hour two to four times per month with their Littles and are asked to make a minimum commitment of one year to their relationship with the expectation that they keep in touch via phone or mail over the summer months. School-Based Program: while participating in our school-based program, the volunteer (Big) and their Little spend time one-to-one at the child’s school. Bigs spend 1-2 hours per week with their Littles and are asked to make a minimum commitment of one year to their relationship with the expectation that they keep in touch via phone or mail over the summer months. School districts currently served include: - Foley - Holdingford - Pierz - Rice - Sartell - Sauk Rapids - Saint Cloud Site-Based Program: The volunteer spends time with their 'Little' at a designated site in the community. Activities can be one-to-one or involve other matches and may include various sports, board/video games, and crafts Sports Buddies Initiative: Volunteers and their mentee are paired up based on their mutual love of sports. Bigs and Littles only spend time together at agency-sponsored activities. 1 to 2 events per month are planned and all activities are centered around sports: going to local sporting events, attending sports clinics, playing games, and more.