Third-grader Brady learned how to kick a soccer ball harder. Another third-grader, Mykah, has discovered that her evening is more fun if she gets her homework done early. And fourth-grader Naydelin, who’s growing up in a household with two older brothers, is happy to have someone in her life who understands “girl problems.”
All three Park Elementary School students were identified by school counselors and teachers as youngsters who would benefit from a little extra attention. So they are participating in a new program through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado, where high school students are serving as mentors to younger students.
The younger students are particularly engaged by having an older kid take an interest in them.
“The buy-in is pretty instantaneous,” said Aubrey Beals, manager of the High School Bigs Program. “Their eyes light up when they see their Big.”
There are 17 matches in the 2013-14 school year pilot program, with Bigs from Durango and Animas high schools and Big Picture High School, and Littles from either Park or Needham elementary schools, where the matches meet.
Two-way street
Unlike the adult Big Brothers Big Sisters matches, the high school program is designed to be a learning experience for both the Bigs and the Littles.
“We’re organizing workshops and seminars for the Bigs,” Beals said. “Bigs are learning leadership, conflict resolution and other skills as well as skills related to mentoring, such as setting boundaries and building trust.”
The Bigs also are responsible for meeting once a month as a group.
“They’re coming up with their own ideas,” Beals said. “They want to do a workshop for the fifth-graders about what middle school is like, such as how to use a locker, stay organized and manage the schedule.”
Durango High School senior Riley Woodford has found working with her Little, Park fifth-grader Raelee, is preparing her for her future.
“I’m hoping for a career teaching English in South Korea,” Riley said. “I’m learning all kinds of things – patience, how kids’ minds work and to expect the unexpected and just go with the flow. I’ve also learned to focus on one thing at a time and be responsible and reliable about being here every week.”
All the high school students keenly feel the responsibility of being a role model for their Littles.
“I find myself doing things in a different way than I normally would, especially if I’m helping someone,” said DHS senior Laura Mummery, Naydelin’s Big. “Instead of focusing on a problem or asking how school was today, I’m focusing on the underlying issues.”
One of the biggest challenges is coordinating with the hectic schedules of today’s high school students.
“I don’t know how they do it, but I’m glad they do,” Beals said. “We try to help them make a realistic commitment, because this can’t just be an afterthought. ”
The genesis
The program was the idea of the Southwest Regional Council, an advisory board of the Colorado Springs-based El Pomar Foundation. The foundation approached the local Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter to see if it would be interested in taking on the project. The inquiry came with a check to design and implement the High School Bigs Program: $60,000 in 2013.
“Other Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations have something like this,” Beals said. “But this isn’t a plug-and-chug program. We had to fit it to what the community needs.”
El Pomar already has agreed to multiyear support, with another $45,000 slated for 2014.
Tracy Cornutt, the executive director of the Southwest Colorado chapter of Big Brothers said the ultimate goal is to have the community raise the majority of the funding. The organization also hopes to expand to other school districts in the area.
Both Cornutt and Beals agree that collaboration with school staff members is critical.
“Our best partnerships are where counselors and administrators understand the social and emotional part of learning is as necessary as book learning,” Cornutt said. “And that the book learning doesn’t happen unless children feel connected.”
Cornutt estimates that the high school program will cost $1,800 to $2,000 per match per year.
But as far as Peter Maiurro, vice president of El Pomar and director of the council, is concerned, it’s worth every penny.
“Each of us, in a perfect situation, had people that mentored and helped us,” he said. “There is a true, deep impact that comes from helping children through tough times.”
abutler@durangoherald.com
Big Brothers Big Sisters
To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado, visit www.bbig.org or call 247-3720.
The deadline to apply for high school students who are entering the 10th or 11th grade and want to be a big brother or big sister to younger students is April 1. For more information and an application form, call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado.
BBBS is one of four nonprofits selected to receive a portion of the proceeds from Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort’s Locals Benefit Days this season. The organization will be hosting the event Sunday at the ski resort’s base. Coupons for discounted lift tickets are available at www.durangomountainresort.com.
The Celebrating Healthy Communities coalition is requesting nominations for its Adult Role Model Award. Any youth younger than 21 in La Plata County is eligible. The nomination form is available at sjbhd.org/en/celebrating-healthy-communities.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2014, as is its premier fundraiser, Bowl for Kids’ Sake. The event will be held April 12, and teams are forming now.
Adult volunteers are always needed. There are currently six Littles waiting to be matched with Bigs, and 13 students waiting for a match in the Study Connection program.
