Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent desperately needs male role models for their long wait list.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent Executive Director Amanda Clark told CK News Today the wait list is very long and more big brothers are needed to mentor the little brothers.
Clark said age is not a barrier and all ages are welcome, even seniors because they are more reliable and have more experience in life.
Clark said the commitment is at least 2-3 hours a week and some people sit on it for a while before fully committing.
"Even through the pandemic we were still operating, but I feel the community just wasn't sure what services were available and it seems that recently there's been an influx of littles coming our way. So, it just goes to show how great of a need there still is in our community," said Clark.
Clark said many little brothers wait years for a mentor and some don't get one at all before they become too old for the program.
"When we go to do an intake, we're very transparent in telling our families that it could be years or not at all. So, I've had kids that have been waiting five or more years and they age out. So, they don't actually get pledged ever, which is awful," Clark added.
Children 6-16 years of age are eligible for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent provides children and youth volunteer-based mentoring programs.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation recently gave Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent a $136,000 grant to renovate its office at 137 Queen Street in Chatham.
The annual golf ball drop fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent will be held August 11, 2023 at Links of Kent. Clark said 3,000 balls will be dropped and the person who bought the closest ball to the hole will win $3,000.
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters Chatham-Kent click here or call 519-351-1582.
