Abby Peschges/Winonan

The Winona Area Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program is seeking young adults to be mentors to children between the ages of 6 and 14.

Each mentor, or “Big,” is matched with a child, or “Little” based on gender preferences, interests and personalities. Currently the program has around 140 matches with volunteers and littles waiting to be matched. Schedules and interests are a big factor when the program creates matches.

Matches are either paired up into community-based or site-based matches. In community-based matches, the volunteers pick up their littles and take them for activities around the community. Different business offer discounts for the matches and is coordinated more with the family. Site-based matches take place at after school programs often times at the schools.

BBBS intern Nicole Connor said, “We emphasize one on one time.” It promotes a stronger bond and a better relationship between the matches, she said.

Mentors are asked to sign on for an entire year. Though, the majority of mentors continue for longer and graduation is often why a match is broken up.

Each month BBBS puts on a match activity where all matches are invited to attend. February’s event was ice fishing on the lakes, and other months often include some sort of field trip.

Connor said there are a lot of misconceptions about the program. Genders of “siblings” can be mixed, though it is up to family preferences. All the activities take place within the community or at the schools. Also, not all of the children come from troubled homes.

Connor said, “We’re really open-minded about children that we accept. And we don’t force them to do anything they don’t want to do.”

Currently the program has lots of big sisters and little brothers. Though matches can be mixed gender, it is based off of family and volunteer preferences. Many of the little brothers are looking for big brothers.

Community-based and site-based mentoring are not within walking distance of Winona State University’s campus, and volunteers are encouraged to have a vehicle.

Contact Abby at [email protected]