Mentoring the Future

Big Brothers Big Sisters, NC Triangle

By Leah Etling on Mar 30, 2012 in Giving, People

Positive role models can make a big impact in the life of an at-risk youth. Among the many non-profits supported by Yardi Systems each year is the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle in North Carolina, where more than 950 children ages 6-14 are matched with adults who make a difference in their lives.

Serving Orange, Durham and Wake Counties, the mentoring non-profit fields a constant need for volunteers, especially men, to support their mentees, or “littles,” as grant coordinator Katie Williams affectionately calls them.

“The typical parent who walks in our door is a single mother looking for male mentor for her son,” Williams explained. “We have success stories that will bring you to tears – it works.”

The mentors commit to meeting with their little “sibling” at least once per week. The program sponsors both community mentoring, in which the mentors take their charges on outings around town, or site-based mentoring, in which the mentors meet their littles at a school site.

Beyond guidance on schoolwork, friendships and personal relationships, sports and goal setting, the mentors are able to support life lessons like the importance of exercise and nutrition.

“The focus of our Healthy Child Initiative is to make nutrition and physical activity part of the mentor relationship,” Williams said. “A lot of children we serve are those who are at risk for obesity.  Our matches are encouraged to not take their mentors to the movies, but maybe to the park, or on a bike ride, and include physical activity as a positive part of their relationship.”

Yardi’s donations have supported the Healthy Child Initiative as well as a new program for BBBS, an education initiative that makes excelling in the classroom a theme emphasized by the mentors and reinforced in partnership with the mentees’ schools.  Volunteers are able to talk with the teachers of the child they’re mentoring and learn where they might need out-of-class help.

Another program Yardi donations have aided specifically targets the children of incarcerated parents, who benefit greatly from having a positive adult role model while their mother or father is away from home.

Mentors are asked to serve for a minimum of one year, but the benefits of the relationships begin appearing after that time, so they’re urged to continue longer if possible, Williams said.

“One year is the point at which positive results tend to be seen,” she explained. “The longer you go the more positive impact the relationship has.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle is actively seeking new adult volunteers, especially men. Through June 7, they’re on a quest to sign up “100 Men in 100 Days.” If you can help, call 919-850-9772 or find out more at www.bbbstriangle.org