With a growing demand for Airdrie’s Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program, the organization is seeking volunteers to mentor the more than 25 kids currently on the waiting list. “There’s a lot of kids out there, children and youth who maybe come from certain circumstances or situations that maybe don’t allow their parents or other adults to have that same influence in their life,” said Jason Heer, mentoring co-ordinator for BBBS in Airdrie. “We are there to provide that support.” According to Heer, the organization has been operating in Airdrie for approximately seven years, with the aim of helping all children discover their potential through the means of mentorship. Recently, Heer said, BBBS has been drawing awareness to the benefits of the program, resulting in a greater response. “We’re seeing more people apply, as far as children, but we’re not getting as many adults as we would like,” he said. “I think people get nervous, and think, ‘I’ve never worked with a child,’ and so forth, but we provide all the necessary training on safe boundaries, protecting yourself and fun ways of spending time as a mentor that don’t cost money.” Mentors are required to commit to at least one year with the program, Heer said, and meet up with their “little” three out of every four weeks during each month for two to five hours. How they choose to spend that time is up to each pair, Heer added – mentors can take their littles to a movie, out for coffee, for a walk in the park or to the library to help with school work. “A lot of people tell me that the greatest benefit they get out of it is that they’re actually making an impact on someone’s life,” he said, “helping that young person develop resiliency through the challenges they face even at an early age, and how to become a positive person who is going to contribute to society – not just in the future, but even today.” After going through the application process, Heer said, which starts with completing the online form at bbbsairdrie.ca and includes in-person interviews, mentors are matched with a little, who has passed through a similar process. According to Heer, BBBS does their “due diligence” in ensuring pairs are compatible. “We don’t just pair anybody with anybody – we ask about their interest and needs, and what they are looking for in a partner,” he said. “They do a great job matching people with common interests, and who live fairly close together. We don’t just pair random people – that doesn’t work. We want to accommodate both sides to make sure we have a successful match.” Heer added studies indicate a successful match is between a mentor and a little who do share common interests and spend at least one year together – those kids, he said, go on to be more successful adults. “You can really see that transformation – they can come into the program being almost a little bit grouchy, but then they become overwhelmed with joy and excitement,” Heer said. “I just had a family say to me that in just the first month, their child has had a much more positive attitude and is learning to manage their emotions better – and hopefully, that will continue.” BBBS is also very inclusive, Heer said, and recently launched a gender/sexual diversity program to accommodate even more kids and adults. “We’re always open to new kids, as well,” he said. “They will be put on a waiting list, initially, until we can find them an actual match. The more volunteers we have sign up, the quicker we can match them up with a mentor and help them grow into their potential.”
