Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region sparked its first mentoring program with Gloucester Township.
On Wednesday, middle schoolers scurried around the Gloucester Township Council chambers, asking one another peculiar inquiries such as “Can you name the seven dwarfs?” or “Were you born outside of the country?”
Through the township’s first Beyond School Walls workshop, a program under the Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region, this “human bingo” activity was the Glen Landing students’ way of breaking the ice among fellow mentees and their mentors.
The 104-year-old national organization, which is the largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network in the country, strives to build one-on-one bonds between students (“Littles”) from local schools by arranging for them to meet with an assigned adult (“Big”) at their workplaces.
“Our mission is to put a caring and compassionate adult in the life of a child facing adversity. That could be any sort of adversity,” CEO Marcus Allen said. “This program has real tangible benefits.”
Through this partnership, children ranging from 6 to 18 years old achieve higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships while avoiding risky behaviors and gaining overall educational success, according to the organization’s website.
“My favorite part about today was when me and (my mentor) got to know each other better,” mentee Issy Weir said. “I hope (the program) makes me a better sibling.”
According to Allen, research from 2009 shows that Littles who were in the program had a better chance of graduating from college and living in a household that makes more than $75,000 a year.
Some 29 corporations and 29 schools take part in the program, creating a positive impact on the lives of nearly 1,000 children across the nation. Since starting in 2006, Beyond School Walls has served 5,800 children.
After two BBBS Independence agencies, one from southeastern Pennsylvania and the other from South Jersey, merged in 2016, the organization was able to offer the Beyond School Wall program to this region.
Gloucester Township’s workshop is the first municipally-funded Beyond School Walls program in South Jersey.
“This is the first time we’ve worked with multiple departments or functions with the township to mentor one school program (Glen Landing),” said Greg Burton, the organization’s vice president of marketing and communications. “You’ll see adult mentors here from the police department, parks and recreation and the mayor’s office.”
Gloucester Township has 17 employees serving as mentors in program, including Mayor David R. Mayer and Business Administrator Tom Cardis.
The Littles will meet with their respective Bigs twice a month at the municipal building and other workplace environments around the township.
“I’m so proud of our Gloucester Township employees,” Mayer said. “I want to thank our volunteers who are stepping up and being that role model and mentor, because that means a lot.”
In recruiting Littles and Bigs, the interview process started back in the summer. After the Bigs received background checks, program coordinators delved deeply into personability details to find the most compatible mentees.
In 2016, BBBS Independence sparked 3,600 matches across the country.
“(BBBS) interviews the Bigs and the prospective Littles to really understand them and match them as best as they can,” Burton said. “Once they meet all the approvals, they’re able to be paired with a Little, and normally, they do such a great job. … It’s kind of uncanny the similarities of the person they match with.”
Many mentors say the “sibling” experience is just as nurturing for them as it is for the mentees. Not only do the Bigs feel they are fostering a positive impact on youngsters, but they, too, have found a new friend.
“You get to interact with the young people and get to spend some quality time. We talk about what’s going on in school and in his life,” said mentor Lt. John Swack of the Gloucester Township Police Department. “(My mentee) asks me questions and we bounce off one another. I’ll give him some advice, and he gives me some advice. It’s a great program. I hope it continues.”
