BBBS – Z allowing residents virtual opportunity to mentor children looking for a role model

ZANESVILLE – Big Brothers Big Sisters had to look for changes in its routine because of COVID – 19 and for creative ways to connect the mentors know as “bigs” with kids known as “littles.”

“We are looking at different platforms that we can connect people which would be a a Google Hangouts, Zoom, Facetime; we have done several interviews now through Facetime but I think its important to note there there’s a lot of safety issues involved. So, what we’ve had to do is join statewide committees that are now trying to look for platforms that are safe and that can be monitored by our match support specialists and our school based coordinators and moving into this Fall, finding out ways that is going to work with our school partners,” BBBS Zanesville’s Executive Director Jenni Masterson said.

The organization is also drafting a virtual plan for high school students to be mentored so they can start to consider what will be the next step for them after graduation.

“We also have, with the help of United Way, purchased a curriculum called Mentor U for high school mentoring and the staff is really digging in to that this summer. It works with a mentor and a business where someone in the community, that we match with a high school student, and help them develop some soft skills, and then it also helps them kind of explore what’s going outside of high school. Does that mean college for them? Does that mean the military? Does that mean a trade school? Does that mean going and getting a job right out of high school,” Masterson said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has is already conducting some of its virtual mentoring with local children and anyone who would like to get involved can find information on BBBSZ.org