| School-based Mentoring |
|
Our school-based program, Lunch Buddies, is a one-to-one mentoring program that matches a Little (a child between the ages of 6 and 12), with a Big (an adult volunteer). The match meets twice each month during the lunch at the school, with a minimum of one visit every two weeks. Bigs commit to between 35 and 50 minutes each visit, over their lunch hour. Bigs visit their Little at school to have lunch, help with homework, play board games, read books, talk, or even go out to recess!
Lights on For Learning - After-School Mentoring This program matches a child that is enrolled in the after-school program at Intermediate Academy in Rock Island, with a mentor to help them with their studies, and be a positive role model. This program is run Monday–Thursday after school hours in two sessions. A volunteer can help with one session or both sessions on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. The program runs from 3:25-4:10 p.m. and 4:15-5:00 p.m.
School-based Match Success Testimonials From Teachers: ~"Xavier would always come back smiling and walking a little taller!" ~"Addia says every Thursday “I hope my Big Sister is here today!” This little girl takes on adult responsibilities at home." ~"Telisia just beams when her Big comes in!" ~"Tavian reminds me every Thursday that it’s the day for his “Big Falcon” to come in and visit!" ~"A lot of kids ask if they can go to lunch and share their Bigs." ~"Xavier asks why he is so special to have a “special friend.” ~"I see the looks on the faces of the students who have been impacted by this program and see visually how the program must be working for our students. It is good to have success with older students “mentoring” younger children!"
From a Parent: ~ " I feel Samantha’s lunch buddy saved her last year. I didn’t think she would make it through First Grade, but the positive impact from the relationship made such a huge, noticeable difference!"
From Bigs: ·~"I went into lunch with my Little, and there were two teachers sitting in the room as well. One of them said to Shariya that it was nice to see her smiling so much. She smiled more than once, so that’s a good thing." ~"BBBS lunch buddy program gave me about 45 minutes each Thursday, that's when I had my lunch date, to step out of my regular daily world into something quite different. I arrived at the school and waited eagerly to see my little buddy come down the hall as she strained her little neck to spot me and make sure I was there. She knew the day I would be coming, picked out a special little outfit or jewelry. When she walked up to me she would say, "Good, you're here. I though you would be here today." And while she was saying this she was checking me out to see if I was holding the treat I would always bring for her, sometimes hiding it so she would have to look a little harder. I would always say to her, "Of course, come on, hurry up and get your lunch ! Today is our day, but we haven't got all day."
|
