“There will always be a need for mentors,” says Rachel Johnson, recruiter at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota.

 

Johnson is just one of a large group of people dedicated to making the lives of children better.

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) has been located in St. Cloud since 1969 and has brought thousands of children and adults together. 

 

“We serve between 600 and 700 youth a year,” says Johnson. “We have about 350 active matches right now.”

 

“Match” is the term used to describe the relationship between a kid and their adult mentor. Adults are known as “bigs”. The child is the “little”.

 

Although the main office is located in St. Cloud, BBBS covers Stearns, Sherburne, Benton, Morrison and the northern part of Wright County.

 

In addition to St. Cloud, there are kids in Big Lake Becker, Clear Lake, Monticello, Albertville, Annandale and all the townships in between waiting for a “big”. Currently there are 112 “littles” on the waiting list. Some have been on the list for more than three years.

 

Johnson says all the kids are different, but they’re all very normal.

 

“There’s a misconception that kids in the program are “broken” and come from dysfunctional families. Several of them can but that’s not the majority,” she says. “A lot of them are kids that are just struggling and need some outside support. They need someone to help them talk through things and be encouraged to go for their dreams and aspirations.”

 

Kids can get on the list by a parent or guardian signing them up. BBBS also works with schools teachers and counselors. 

 

“Kids have to have an identifiable need for a mentor,” says Johnson. “They have to show that having a mentor with help improve grades, improve self-esteem or help them if they’re being bullied.”

 

“Bigs” can sign up even if they don’t have a lot of experience dealing with kids. Anyone 18 or older qualifies.

 

“We’re looking for diversity in our mentors. We believe everyone has something to offer, we just have to try to facilitate those relationships,” says Johnson. “We’re looking for people who care about kids.”

 

BBBS staff interview the bigs and littles to get background information to help the match.

 

“We try match somebody who has a similar interest so they’re not starting from ground zero,” says Johnson.  “But we’re also looking for people who can share their hobbies and interests.”

 

In one case a big is teaching his little woodworking. They’ve made some benches and tables together, says Johnson.

 

But it doesn’t have to be about teaching a skill, says Johnson.

 

“It can be a simple as getting an ice cream cone, taking a walk around a park or going to a baseball game,” she says. “It’s really about experiencing life with one another.”

 

Most bigs spend about an hour-plus a week with their little. The average match lasts two and half years, says Johnson. Some have lasted more than 10. BBBS is only asking its bigs for a 12-month commitment. If it grows into something longer, that’s great, says Johnson.

 

“We do find that once you’re in a relationship with a kid, it becomes a part of life,” she says.

 

Earlier this year, BBBS had a recruiting drive that brought in 77 new mentors. Typically, about 20 new mentors would have signed up during that time period. 

 

“It definitely took a lot of boys off the waiting list,” says Johnson.

 

But there is still a need for mentors - male, female, couples and families, who can be a positive influence on kids. With the new mentors, the average waiting time for boys was reduced from 304 days to 193 days.

“It’s still a lot of time but it’s progress,” says Johnson. “I think it’s working.”

 

To learn more about becoming a mentor, contact Johnson at 320-258-4537.