Thank you for your interest in the Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Initiative. This school-based program matches mentors with students from local elementary school for one-on-one social interaction.
Some mentors assist their students with homework assignments. Others spend their time discussing such matters as school, peer relations and career goals, and activities such as board games, arts and crafts, sports and any other shared interests. Most important is that they have fun.
We invite you now to take the next step toward learning more about this rewarding and well-received program.
How Mentoring Makes a Difference
Mentor Benefits:
· A special time during the school week
· Gaining experience with youth
· Becoming a positive role model
· Assisting a student to set goals
· Influencing a young person’s future
Student Benefits:
· Enhanced Self-image
· Improved grades
· Decreased likelihood of delinquency
· Better relationships with adults and peers
A study by Nutmeg Big Brothers Big
Sisters One-To-One Mentoring found
that children who met regularly with
their mentors show improvement in
the following areas: academic
performance, self confidence, decision
making, sense of the future, and peer and adult relationships.
Who are the elementary school students in the program?
The students are K through 5th graders.
What is the time commitment?
Mentors and their students meet once a week
for an hour during the school day. The days
and times are flexible, to accommodate
students’ and mentors’ schedules.
Where are the mentoring sessions held?
All sessions are held at the Littles’ school. Mentors and students can meet in the library, the cafeteria or any other area agreeable to the school.
How are the students chosen for the program?
The students are chosen by vice principals, teachers, guidance counselors or school social workers. The students must also have written permission from their parents.
What happens if I have to cancel one week?
When mentors are going to be absent or late, we ask that they contact the school and their Program Coordinator. We will provide all mentors with the schools’ and Program Coordinators’ phone numbers.
Do I need any experience?
Some mentors have experience working with youth but it is not a necessity. The most important ingredients are good listening skills and the desire to make a difference in a young person’s life.
Progress can be subtle. Some indications are: they may confide in you, ask your opinion or even just share a smile or laugh.
Who do I contact with questions about my student or the program in general?
A NBBBS staff member will serve as your liaison for any questions, concerns or feed-back, and will contact you regularly through-out the school year for an update on how your match is progressing.
As an organization that works with children, Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters screens its volunteers very carefully. Prospective volunteers submit an application with references.
Though seeing students in the community is not a prescribed part of the program, on rare occasions, mentors have seen their students on weekends and evenings. Should you wish to pursue seeing your student outside the program, an NBBBS staff member can assist you. Then a staff member will contact you to set an appointment. You will then need to attend a one time training provided by NBBS.
For more information contact:
Audrey Andrysick
School Based Program Coordinator
aandrysick@bbbsnutmeg.org
203-574-2447