Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph (BBBSG) are asking the community for help in light of a volunteer shortage leaving local youth without support.
Since the beginning of 2022, they’ve seen a sharp decline in the number of males applying for mentor roles, with just 11 per cent of applicants being male-identifying.
With 83 young boys waiting to be matched with a mentor, this means wait times of two to three years, compared to the normal six month period.
Simultaneously, the need for these services is at an all-time high, as youth in the community are recovering from mental health strains and social isolation caused by the pandemic.
“We’re seeing an increase in abuse allegations, issues with bullying, mental health, social isolation. The vast majority are coming from single caregiver backgrounds as well,” said executive director Mike Treadgold.
That has resulted in what he expects to be at least a 30 per cent increase in applications from children looking for mentors. However, he also attributes that increase to the fact that their services are in-person again for the first time since the pandemic began, which makes it more appealing.
Their programs vary from one-on-one to group mentoring opportunities on school grounds – all programs that can make a world of difference in a child’s life.
“The addition of just one caring and consistent adult role model in a child's life has the opportunity to make a world of difference,” he said, adding that it can reverse the effects of some of the adversities these children face.
“The relationship that is built between the mentor and the mentee as they get to know one another and spend time with one another, it really does pay off. First and foremost, it builds resilience in the child," he said. "It strengthens their mental health, it makes them more engaged with their education, it helps to build social confidence with their peers, and it helps to demonstrate to them what a positive relationship looks like.”
The time commitment for their school-based program can be as little as eight weeks, with just one hour each week, while their community-based programs require an 18 month commitment and eight hours a month.
You can learn more and apply to be a mentor here.
