Big Brothers Big Sisters is kicking off a campaign to recruit 50 volunteer mentors to be matched with youth in Flathead County.
Mentors are especially needed for Lunch Pail Pals, a school-based mentoring program in Flathead County. The time commitment is one hour per week over the course of the school year. Mentors meet one hour per week with their “Little” at school for lunch and recess. Some days volunteers may sit down and read a book and others may include throwing the football or playing another game outside. Mentors will be matched with elementary and middle school students in Flathead County.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters is able to grow this program because of generous community support,” Executive Director Jesse Mahugh said. “We now have two program staff, which significantly increases the number of children we can serve.”
Nancy Easley is the School-Based Coordinator and Lisa Johnson is the Community-Based Coordinator.
“As superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools, I cannot think of a better way to impact our most needy kids in a positive way than volunteering to be a Big Brother or Big Sister,” School District 5 Superintendent Mark Flatau said. “Our kids need as many positive relationships with meaningful adults as possible. Big Brothers and Big Sisters fills this roll in outstanding ways.”
Volunteers are also needed for the Community Based mentoring program, which is a time commitment of eight hours per month doing activities in the community with your Little, such as hiking or getting ice cream together.
Big Brothers Big Sisters supports youth in graduating from high school, avoiding risky behaviors, building better relationships, and improving self-confidence by matching them with a volunteer mentor. Mentors are screened and supported with training by qualified staff. Prior to being matched, volunteers are interviewed, a multi-level background check is performed and references are checked by staff. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County visit the agency’s Web site at www.bbbsfc.org.
Call (406) 752-0092 to sign up or visit www.bbbsfc.org for more information.