As part of National Mentoring Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters is highlighting the role mentors play in shaping the lives of young people – and emphasizing the need for volunteers to help support the program.
National Mentoring Month serves as a platform to recognize and celebrate the positive influence of mentorship on youth development.
For over 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations across the US have been dedicated to creating mentoring relationships that ignite and empower the potential within every child.
One-to-one mentoring is a powerful catalyst for positive change, providing young people with the guidance and support needed to navigate life’s challenges and reach their full potential.
According to Big Brothers Big Sisters, mentors serve as role models, friends, and advocates for young individuals facing various obstacles. The impact of a mentor extends beyond academic achievement, influencing personal growth, self-esteem and resilience. By fostering trusting relationships, mentors empower youth to set and achieve goals, develop valuable life skills, and build the confidence necessary to overcome adversity.
During National Mentoring Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters encourages community members to reflect on the impact a mentor can have on a young person’s life and to consider becoming a mentor themselves. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids & East Central Iowa and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County are actively seeking volunteers to become friends and mentors.
Individuals interested in becoming a mentor or supporting our organizations’ mission are encouraged to visit www.bigcr.org or www.bbbsjc.org for more information.
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ (BBBS) mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. BBBS is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining mentoring relationships which support youth in reaching their full potential. BBBS partners caring community members (Bigs) with youth (Littles) aged 5-14 in our local communities. Research shows that a stable, caring adult in the life of a youth can have profound impacts on each child’s entire life, including the reduction of risky behaviors, increased educational successes, and improved social and emotional competencies. The group’s programming is essential in addressing the critical need for these positive, stable adult influences in the lives of children, mitigating the potential challenges they might face in the absence of our programs.
