MINNEAPOLIS — Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities is the biggest youth mentoring organization across the five-county metro, and the nonprofit aims to get even bigger under its second annual volunteer campaign, The BIG Recruit.
"We're supercharging our recruitment efforts to get 240 Bigs in 60 Days," explained Sandi Richmond, director of community engagement and recruitment. "A Big is considered a mentor or volunteer and a Little is considered a youth in our program."
Several of her colleagues are Bigs in their spare time, including Johnnie Merritt, who is matched with 11-year-old Ayden.
"We call it 'bro time' together," Merritt said. "He tells his mom that I'm her other son, and we're pretty close."
Merritt says Ayden was a little shy when the organization matched them two years ago, so they talked about ways to become more social like by attending church together. Merritt says Ayden has grown comfortable getting to know other kids there.
They also love watching sports.
"Timberwolves," Merritt said. "He's a big KAT (Karl-Anthony Towns) fan, so he loves going to the games."
The BIG Recruit campaign aims to enroll 240 mentors by the end of February, but the need for Bigs is even bigger than that. Richmond says more than 500 kids and teens are currently enrolled in their programming but are waiting to be matched with a mentor. Sometimes, the waitlist is down to around a couple hundred youth, so this is on the higher end.
The organization reports mentorship is down at most of BBBS locations nationwide.
To spread word about the local need, Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities is posting fresh marketing materials on social media. They've also added billboards throughout the metro, including one on Washington & Broadway in north Minneapolis, which is down the street from their headquarters on Washington & Lowry Avenues.
Richmond says those interested in becoming a Big are welcome to stop by their office. It's a spacious and colorful environment with art on the walls that is often used as a gathering place for matches.
The BIG Recruit campaign started Jan. 1 and runs through Feb. 29. So far, a little over 30 people have signed up, and BBBS employees have displayed each of their names on an office wall.
"We're so grateful for them, but now is the time," Richmond said. "If you're interested in being a Big, please go to BigsTwinCities.org/volunteer. Sign up for an info session, attend that info session and apply to be a Big."
"There's a misconception with being a mentor that you have to have specific criteria to be a mentor," Merritt added. "I was very hesitant in the beginning, and I said 'No,' that I didn't want to be a mentor because I did not know exactly what it meant. As I have found out, there's many resources that we have. We have a group where Bigs get together and come together and just go over ideas and some of the challenges … I have a ton of support."
Those interested in becoming a Big are encouraged to gather for a social event with current Bigs this Saturday, Jan. 20 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Tom's Watch Bar in Minneapolis. The first 70 people to arrive will get free Timberwolves tickets to the game that same night against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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