Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin has begun a community-based youth mentoring program in the Northwoods.
Kinship of the North had previously performed the community-based mentoring but that organization has dissolved, having been active in the Northwoods since 1980.
Big Brothers-Big Sisters spokesperson Mary Kinnunen says that organization had provided school-based youth mentoring but now will do both. She says Kinship asked Big Brothers-Big Sisters to take over their community-based mentoring programs.
In the school program, mentors meet in school with the Little Brother or Little Sister for one hour. In the community-based program, it's slightly different...
"....with the community-based(mentoring) you will pick up your Little Brother or Little Sister up at home and go out and do something you both enjoy in the community...."
Kinnunen says having an adult meeting with a young person on a regular basis provides a positive role model..
"...and that's the key thing for the child is to know that Big Brother or Big Brother will see them next week. The consistency of the meetings has proven to be very important...."
The child and volunteer meet for an average of one hour per week at a day and time that works for both parties. The match lasts until the youth graduates from high school or turns 18. Kinnunen says more information is on the website Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin.
