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January is National Mentoring Month, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Polk County is celebrating those who already volunteer as mentors (Bigs) and recruiting new volunteers to allow us to serve more youth (Littles) here in Polk County. 

This year, BBBS is asking local residents to “Join The Village” to help increase opportunities for area young people by becoming a mentor. Bigs are supported by local Program Coordinators who receive training and guidance through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

“Our Bigs in Polk County make lifelong impacts in the lives of the Littles they mentor. Many Bigs and Littles even stay in touch after the Little goes off to college,” Program Coordinator, Tara Scoma said. “The idea of mentoring may seem simple, but the difference it makes to our Littles means the world. It is so fulfilling to see how the kids in our program blossom after being paired with their Big.”

More than ten youth in Polk County are waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister. The only way to ensure they have someone to inspire them to reach their potential is for more adults to step up and volunteer to become Bigs. Being a Big means committing to spend a few hours a month with a young person doing things that you love to do, like playing basketball, visiting the library, or learning how to cook.

Polk County residents can get involved with National Mentoring Month by contacting Tara Scoma at 443-791-0538, or by emailing her at polk@bbbswnc.org.

On social media, residents can get involved by following Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Throughout the month, Big Brothers Big Sisters is encouraging followers to tag a friend who would be a great Big Brother or Big Sister, using the hashtag #JoinTheVillage.  

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Polk County is affiliated with BBBS of Western North Carolina and works to provide children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that ignite their potential. Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, and other community members, BBBSWNC carefully pairs children with screened volunteers while monitoring and supporting these mentoring matches. 

BBBSWNC has served more than 14,000 youth since its creation in 1982. The Asheville-based nonprofit organization serves 18 counties in the mountain region. Like BBBS affiliates throughout the country, it holds itself accountable to its Littles and supporters by measuring rates of success that include higher aspirations, better relationships, greater self-confidence and avoidance of risky behaviors. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network.

Submitted by Tara Scoma