An hour a day can make a difference in a child's life, especially if it's spent having fun, making a friend and feeling valued. Making a difference in a child's life is the purpose of a new program being launched in February by the area chapter of Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Helen Brownrigg, director of the Sea to Sky Cor-ridor and Sunshine Coast Big Brothers/Big Sisters, said the school-based In-School Mentoring program is greatly supported by School District No. 46.
"Being able to get this program started on the Sunshine Coast is very exciting," said Brownrigg. The program works by matching up a student with a community volunteer for one-on-one time within the child's school.This is a buddy program, Brownrigg said, where the buddy goes into the school for an hour to give a child some one-on-one attention, adding the program is not a counselling session.
This is a fun time where a volunteer and a child get to build a friendship with each other, hang out and have fun, she said.Brownrigg said whether the two take a walk within school grounds or spend time doing arts and crafts, reading in the school library, having lunch, talking or playing board games - the program is about building relationships. Brownrigg feels volunteers will get just as much out of the program and the time they spend as the child.
The program is already operating with great success in Squamish, said Brownrigg.
To start, the program here on the Coast will match 10 children with 10 volunteers in elementary schools. Brownrigg said it looks like Cedar Grove Elementary School will be the first site for the program, with the goal of having the program running in all the schools on the Coast soon.
There are always kids who could use some individualized time with an adult, said Brownrigg. With busy schedules and for those who don't have an extended family close by, kids need other adults in their lives to talk with and have fun with, she adds.
The time commitment is one hour a week for the school year. If people sign up in February as volunteers, ideally they will stay until the end of school in June. Even more ideal is if they sign up for the start of school in September, they can keep on developing their relationship with their child match, added Brownrigg.
If the program is to be running by February, they need 10 volunteers aged over 18. All volunteers will be interviewed, screened and trained with ongoing Big Brothers/Big Sisters' staff support.
"This program is about having fun, developing relationships and helping children develop good self esteem," adds Brownrigg.
To find out more about the program or to volunteer, call 604-741-5651.
