Pilot mentoring program a success
Amanda Ritchie says she's seen a marked improvement in the social skills of students taking part in a pilot Big Brothers mentoring program at Alexander Mackenzie school this year. Some Grade 9-10 students under the mentorship of the 21-year-old Lambton College child and youth worker student were unwilling to engage in September. But she's since earned their trust. "They like to have that personal connection," she said.
About 16 students at the school are participating in the first year of the secondary school-based mentoring program. Volunteers are matched with students and engage them in "fun-based" activities to build social skills, said program co-ordinator Sarah McSwain. "It's more of a social program," she said.
Mentors and students spend an hour at school each week playing cards, going on the computer, playing basketball or just talking. After two months they can move off school grounds.
Fifteen elementary schools in Sarnia-Lambton already participate in a similar program designed to boost self-esteem, McSwain said. Although activities differ, the high school and elementary programs use the same principle. "They're all fun based," McSwain said.
A barbecue was held at Alexander Mackenzie on Wednesday to acknowledge the work of volunteers and highlight the program for next year. Big Sisters volunteers with the Go Girls program were also present.
McSwain said she'd like to expand the mentoring program to other high schools, but finding enough volunteers is a major hurdle. Big Brothers currently has 44 volunteers with 86 matches. Volunteers can be either men or women, she said.
An information session is being held at the Big Brothers office,10 Lorne Cres., on May 18 at 7 p.m. For more information, call 519-336-0460.
Tyler Kula
18 April 2010
