MENTORING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER RIGHT NOW
Coronavirus creates extra stress on young people in our community.
Vulnerable children are facing increased anxiety, fear, and worry. The young people we serve are likely to bear the heaviest burdens of trauma and economic fallout. We are taking immediate action to support vital mentoring relationships in order to fight the social isolation of our young people and their families.
PRACTICAL GUIDELINES
Our office staff continues to work remotely, with our office open by appointment only. For any in-person meetings at our office, we ask that our visitors follow recommendations from the New Mexico Department of Health and the CDC outlined in the attached guide.
As we navigate these difficult times, we are inspired by all that you are doing to stay connected to your Match. Click below to see our guidance for in-person visits, but please understand that the decision for getting together in person rests entirely on the comfort level of the Big, the Little, and the Little’s family. While we are just as ready as you are to get back to normal life, the health of our Bigs, our Littles, and their families is of utmost importance.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
SUPPORT FINANCIALLY
During this time when our Bigs and Littles can’t always get together in person, your support can make all the difference. Because of the pandemic, we’ve had to cancel some fundraising events for this year and dramatically scale back others.
We’re counting on the generosity of our supporters to help keep our Bigs and Littles connected during this stressful time. If you can make an extra gift to help see us through the difficult period, you’ll be making a huge difference in the life of a vulnerable child.
BECOME A MENTOR
We are taking immediate action to maintain and support the vital mentoring relationships that we facilitate and professionally support. The Big/Little relationship helps prevent social isolation for both the Littles and their families.
You can make a difference for a child on our waiting list by signing up now to be a Big. Whether mentoring virtually during the pandemic or in person once we get back to normal, your support can help keep a child connected during this difficult time.
COVID-19 UPDATES
Just as most social interactions have changed due to Covid-19, so has the mentoring of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Instead of meeting in person, we are encouraging Bigs (adult mentors) and Littles (youth mentees) to commit to communicating and “hanging out” in ways that promote the safety of our Littles, Bigs, and their families.
So what does this look like?
While our Matches (Big and Little) can meet for socially distanced friendly interactions–such as outdoor activities that maintain social distancing–we encourage virtual hangouts such as playing games, cooking, reading, telling jokes, etc. via FaceTime, Zoom, or other platforms. Matches might meet strictly on a virtual basis or a mixture of virtual and in-person meetings depending on everyone’s comfort level and governmental mandates.
© 2021 Big Brothers Big Sisters Mountain Region