As the new school year kicks off, we’re partnering with Ansonia, Greenville, Jackson Center, Sidney, Tri-Village, and Versailles school districts to bring our Lunch Buddies Program to life. We’re here to encourage students to bring their A-game and activate their learning mode!
What is The Lunch Buddies Program?
The Lunch Buddies Program is a mentoring initiative designed to provide children with an additional positive role model. Teachers and parents help identify students who would benefit from this program. BBBS then matches these students (LITTLES) with youth (ages 13-18) or adult volunteers (BIGS) who meet with them weekly or on a bi-weekly basis during lunch or within the school day. During these visits, matches play games, get to know each other, and build a supportive relationship. As the bond develops, the Big serves as a role model, offering guidance, encouragement, and assistance with learning.
What Are the Benefits?
For Littles:
- Positive school experience
- Improved attendance, attitudes, and behavior
- Academic enrichment and positive relationships
For Bigs:
- Rewarding experience seeing the impact of your time
- Personal growth and fulfillment
- Development of leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Opportunities for new connections, scholarships, and recommendation letters
“I am so glad that I finally shoved my doubts aside and became a Big and was part of a
beautiful and impactful program during my senior year. I was paired with two Littles, both young girls. I absolutely adored the Littles and always looked forward to our weekly meetings, and I know they felt the same way. When I ran into them in the halls their faces would light up, they would instantly run up to me and share any exciting news they had. It’s safe to say we grew a close bond, I had seen them grow so much, they gained so much confidence and they are just truly growing into brilliant young ladies. As a high school Big, I think the Littles found me easy to approach and talk with. I know the Lunch Buddies program has many positive outcomes, but the benefits of mentoring are better than I ever could have imagined. According to a study conducted in 2021, Littles are less likely to have youth arrest or reports of substance abuse compared to their peers. The statistics that shocked me the most was how mentoring affects a Littles’ school performance; they are less likely to experience discipline from teachers, skip less days of school, have a higher interest in school, and strive to graduate. Mentoring also helps raise Littles’ social skills; they have more self-control and are more likely to stand up for themselves. The Littles are not the only ones impacted by mentoring. I have also grown as a person. Mentoring has helped me learn how to step out of my comfort zone. I’ve learned a lot about how to be a mentor and that the best mentors are reliable and compassionate. Programs like Big Brother Big Sisters are so essential for communities as a whole for both the Bigs and Littles relationships face their own growth and reap a bounty of benefits. By volunteering as a mentor, I had the opportunity to contribute to this positive cycle, making a significant difference in young lives.” said, a 2023 senior mentor.
How to Become a Big
Interested in becoming a Big volunteer? Applications are available in the participating school districts’ offices, guidance counselors’ offices, or online at bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org. Whether you’re an adult, high school student, College Credit Plus student, or junior high student, you can make a difference by aligning your availability with the school district’s program schedule.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County
We are a nonprofit dedicated to providing professionally supported mentorship through our Site-Based Lunch Buddies and Community-Based Matches. Our mentoring relationships support the critical social and emotional development needed to build resilience and promote mental well-being.
Get Involved
Invest in a child’s future and help ignite, empower, and defend their potential. To learn more, visit our website at bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org or contact April Brubaker, Executive Director, at april@bbbsshelbydarke.org or (937) 492-7611.
Join us in making a lasting impact!