This January, Big Brothers Big Sisters invites you to celebrate Mentoring Month.
January is National Mentoring Month and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ponoka encourages all community members to join the conversation about the impact of mentoring and to consider volunteering. Two important dates that will be celebrated are January 17, which marks International Mentoring Day and January 31, which is “Thank Your Mentor Day.”
Did you know that youth with mentors are more likely to pursue healthy lifestyles as adults? With exercise and healthier choices being the most common New Year’s Resolutions for adults, January is an ideal time to learn about the benefits of mentoring and to give back as a volunteer.
Big Sister Dana works at Battle River Insurance and is provided an hour off each week to participate in the In-School Mentoring Program. Mentoring has allowed Dana to have fun and make a new friend, “We are both excited to hang out again, it has been very comfortable to continue our friendship from where it left off before summer.”
For little brother Bryson, Thursdays are, “My new favourite day of the week because that is the day my mentor comes!”
Bryson and his mentor Dana have been matched for a year and a half and love spending their time together baking, playing pool, ping pong and various games in the gym.
Bryson’s mum is very grateful for the In-School Mentoring program and how it has impacted her son. “He has learned a calm behaviour for school, playground and he has made more friends and is confident in himself.”
Currently, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ponoka has over 40 youth waiting for an In-School Mentor. The In-School Mentoring program matches an adult or teen mentor with a youth at a local school. The matches then meet for one hour a week and can play games, make crafts, cook, play sports and enjoy spending time together.
Celebrate Mentoring Month this January. Imagine who a young person will become, because of you.
Call 403-783-3112 to learn how you can become a mentor today!