100+ Southwest Michigan youth waiting for a mentor
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ new recruitment campaign, Get in the Game, strives to recruit an additional 60 mentors (Bigs) to pair with local youth on the waitlist. Starting on September 1 and running through October 30, the campaign will also educate Southwest Michigan (Kalamazoo, Allegan, Calhoun, and Van Buren Counties) adults on the many benefits of mentoring and the impact of being mentored.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Over the next two months, BBBS will host a series of recruitment events encouraging local adults to Get in the Game and help get every child on the waitlist matched with a mentor.
You can Get in the Game by:
- Signing up to become a Big
- Spreading the word (more on that below, including fun breakroom posters)
- Recruiting a Big
- Joining the Recruitment Committee (email Kathy Praedel to learn more about this opportunity)
- Invite guests to recruitment events (scroll down past the fundraising events to check them out)
You can find the list of recruitment events and RSVP to (or share!) them here.
SPREAD THE WORD
Use the following language in work newsletters, or tweak in emails to your networks:
There are over 100 children in our community waiting to meet their mentor.
You can ignite the potential of youth in Southwest Michigan by becoming a mentor (Big). In just two hours, twice per month you can make a big impact.
Get in the Game with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Learn more about the commitment at ThinkBigToday.org/volunteer or attend a recruitment event to learn in person. RSVP at ThinkBigToday.org/events.
Need a shorter or longer version? Looking for a press release? Please email marketing@bbbsmi.org.
POSTERS
Print the posters below for your breakroom, business or other brilliant spot:
- 11″ x 17″: https://thinkbigtoday.org/gameposter11x17
- 8.5″ x 11″: https://thinkbigtoday.org/gameposter85x11
LIFE-QUALIFIED
Adults are “life qualified” to be mentors, just by their unique experiences and perspectives. Whether it’s over a board/card/video game, or watching or playing sports together, mentoring connections can happen over everyday activities. Big Brothers Big Sisters challenges Southwest Michigan to “Get in the Game” and become a mentor.
Thanks to Big Brothers Big Sisters’ “intentional matching” process, mentors and mentees are only paired with consideration for their mutual interests and compatible personalities. The process creates a foundation upon which to build their friendship and helps ensure match quality and longevity.
“Anyone interested in sharing their knowledge and life experience with a local child should call us at 269-382-6800 or to visit ThinkBigToday.org,” Amy Kuchta, BBBS’ Chief Executive Officer, shares.
THE IMPACT
After being matched with a mentor for just a year Littles report:
- performing better in school,
- increased self-esteem,
- avoiding situations that could limit their future success,
- and stronger relationships with their parents and others
Adults who mentor report:
- that they “get more out of it” than the mentee,
- increased self-esteem and patience and,
- a sense of accomplishment
THE COMMITMENT
Mentors (Bigs) are asked to spend at least 2 hours, twice per month with their mentee (Little), for at least 1 year. Monthly check-ins with Big Brothers Big Sisters staff are also part of the program, as is a thorough onboarding process including an in-depth interview, training, and background & reference checks.
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides coaching and support to the mentor (Big), mentee (Little), and the mentee’s family throughout the life of the match. BBBS also provides monthly activities ideas, discount programs, and other resources for Bigs and families.
Visit ThinkBigToday.org/volunteer to learn more about becoming a mentor and to apply. To RSVP to one of the volunteer recruitment events, click here.
If you are interested in featuring the BBBS Get in the Game recruitment initiative within your company, please contact Kori Jock, Director of Marketing and Development, at korijock@bbbsmi.org for more details.
