Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Dane County on Feb. 1 launched its new campaign, “It Takes Little To Be Big,” seeking to recruit at least 100 adult mentors for local youth. The campaign runs through March 15.
The organization’s CEO Sandy Morales, who has been with BBBS of Dane County for over 10 years, discusses the organizational and community needs the new campaign works to address.
“We have 200 Dane County youth waiting to be matched with a mentor,” says Morales. “Our recruitment campaign … aims to cut that list by at least half. Kids can wait one to two years before they are matched, and that’s a long time to wait. We need adult volunteers, especially men of color.”
She adds, “I always ask myself, ‘What would our community look like if every child or youth had a mentor to help guide them and serve as a positive role model?’ At its core, mentoring guarantees young people that there is someone who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges, and makes them feel like they matter.”
With over a month left in the BBBS campaign, there is still plenty of time for community members to get involved. Local executive Darrell Behnke, senior vice president of US Bank, has been a mentor — or Big — for BBBS for more than 10 years and shares his experience, along with ways others can serve.
“I became a Big when our youngest child left for college and was invited to learn more about it,” says Behnke. “I enjoy working with kids and felt I had something more to give but was unsure about whether I’d be a good mentor or have the time to do it well. I’ve been matched with my Little for over 12 years — starting when he was six — and he’s now a senior in high school.
“I’ve been blessed and rewarded by the opportunity to get to know my Little and be valued by him as well … One thing I was told is that it’s not about grand gestures. Rather, it’s about doing things together and having time for the Little that is just theirs. We’ve gone to sporting events, biking and hiking, and simply made meals together and played board games or catch. Through that, we’ve learned about each other, had the opportunity to share, set goals, and [discuss] how to accomplish them, as well as deal with the inevitable setbacks that come along. It’s also been part of my family and work. My Little has joined in family events and some of our community events at work, so it ripples beyond the two of us.”
BBBS asks its mentors to plan two to four community outings or activities per month with their youth mentees. The organization welcomes prospective mentors from a variety of backgrounds — prior experience working with youth is not required — and community members can volunteer as individuals, couples, or families. Additional information is available on BBBS of Dane County’s website.
