Looking for a meaningful way to truly have an impact in the community?
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lacombe and District is gearing up for ‘40 Mentors in 40 Days’ this September.
And Sept. 18 marks Big Brothers Big Sisters Day as well, so it’s a key month for spreading the word about the steady demand for mentors, explained Brianna Berthiaume, executive director.
“We are carrying quite a large wait-list,” she said. “So this is like a public awareness campaign as well as a recruitment campaign.
“It’s also about helping people to know what mentoring is all about, how it gives back to the community, how it impacts mentors as well as the youth. So hopefully we can recruit those volunteers to come through our doors starting Sept. 1,” she added.
There are big plans to spread the word about the town.
“You’ll see lots of signs out in the community, and we will be celebrating Big Brothers Big Sisters Day on Sept. 18.”
Another cool means of building awareness comes through the ‘Turn the Town Teal’ campaign, where businesses and organizations are encouraged to put up teal-coloured decor - teal being the brand colour of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“It’s about keeping that awareness going so that people who are potentially interested in volunteering can at least inquire about it,” said Berthiaume.
“Having the ability to celebrate the month of September really helps to bring more awareness as to who we are, the research behind mentorship and the next stages of where we are going with the youth we are serving today.”
Prospective Big Brothers and Big Sisters can serve in several capacities - they can sign on as community-based mentors, or in-school mentors or they can spend time with their mentees at the BBBS location here in town (the Bamford House) which is located at 5103 - 49 St.
A couple can sign up to mentor a single youth as well.
“There are lots of different avenues for mentorship in our organization, so we will find out which way fits the best.”
Whatever the arrangement, the benefits of mentoring are pretty much endless.
“There are so many transitions in life, that sometimes (a youth) will want or need that extra support and guidance, or even just a different viewpoint,” she explained.
“And that’s what our volunteers can bring. They help to encourage growth and expand possibilities - they help to open up new perspectives all through having fun,” she said.
“The reasons that you are looking for a mentor in your life can be so diverse.”
For example, maybe the youth has a passion for art, and they are looking for someone who might be able to help them with that or connect to them through it.
“It’s also about helping to develop resiliency - as we grow up, we are developing internal and external assets such as problem-solving skills, positive self-talk - all those kinds of skills that help us to socialize in our community, make positive decisions and to ultimately just want to give back and eventually volunteer ourselves,” she said.
“We are just one more form of healthy interaction to help youth go through adversity and get to their full potential.”
For more, call the local office at 403-782-7870 or visit lacombe.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca.
