In a time where the need for guidance, backing, and compassion is on the rise, the Big Brother Big Sister program emerges as a symbol of optimism. Keith Knutsson, a serial entrepreneur and healthcare professional, supports this philanthropic organization that serves as an excellent example of the powerful impact one individual can have on another’s life, especially when the latter is a young person trying to navigate the intricate journey of childhood and adolescence.
Initiated more than a hundred years ago, Big Brothers Big Sisters has a straightforward yet impactful objective: to establish significant, supervised connections between adult volunteers, known as “Bigs,” and children, referred to as “Littles,” ranging from age 5 to young adulthood, in communities nationwide.
The program goes beyond just organizing recreational activities and bonding over shared interests; it’s about offering extra emotional, social, and academic reinforcement to children in need.
Community-based Youth Mentoring
Community-based youth mentoring commonly involves a young individual (mentee) being supported by a caring adult volunteer (mentor) who isn’t their parent but is part of their community.
This type of mentoring can happen either within structured programs or organically through social relationships with supportive adults in the mentee’s family or community, like neighbors, coaches, or religious leaders.
Community-based youth mentoring primarily aims to aid potentially at-risk youth and encourage their positive attitudes and behaviors. A developmental model of youth mentoring has been put forward to outline how mentoring facilitates change.
Mentors help youths make positive changes. They do this through three key processes:
- Social-emotional growth
- Cognitive development
- Identity formation
Mentors can demonstrate prosocial skills and emotional stability during interactions with the youth, providing a consistent relationship context. These positive relational experiences foster trust via ongoing social support. This becomes a foundation for youths to develop positive expectations about other social relationships.
Impact of the Big Brother Big Sister Program
The Big Brothers Big Sisters program’s influence is incalculable. Youngsters participating in this initiative are less likely to participate in dangerous activities. They are more inclined to succeed in their personal and academic endeavors. The genuine enchantment of the program, however, resides in the enduring bonds nurtured, which often mature and endure long after the program’s conclusion.
Nevertheless, for each “Little” paired with a “Big,” a multitude remains waiting for their respective Big Brother or Big Sister. These children, through circumstances uncontrollable to them, find themselves in need of an extra supportive figure, a supplemental voice of inspiration, and a constant presence to stand by them.
Developing and Executing Successful Mentoring Schemes
Creating a successful mentoring program hinges on strategically establishing its goals and the intended audience. For example, a mentorship initiative aiming to curb detrimental behaviors in susceptible teenagers would need different planning and resources than a program that seeks to encourage STEM talent growth in middle school girls. Keith Knutsson also supports the move to clearly define the goals of the program and the mentee group it aims to serve.
Depending on these objectives, programs can strategize further and decide on suitable mentors, such as empathetic adults from the community, teachers, or peers. They can also plan the mentorship structure, whether one-on-one, peer-to-peer, or group mentoring; the delivery method, whether face-to-face, online, or a mix of both; the methods and standards for pairing mentors and mentees; and propose mentoring activities.
While these particular aspects of a program are highly personalized and can differ widely from one program to another, mentoring research offers general recommendations on program practices.
Many researchers have persistently highlighted early mentorship’s vital influence on a child’s psychological wellness and overall health. Mentorship programs give children a trustworthy adult role model who extends advice, consolation, and empathetic listening. Adults who willingly step into the role of mentors become uplifting figures, offering a sense of security and steadiness to children dealing with challenging circumstances.
