As Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado (BBBS) prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, it is actively expanding its programs into the Ignacio & Bayfield communities.
Jenn Bartlett, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado, recognized the need to offer mentorship opportunities to all youth in La Plata County. As a Big Sister herself for the past nine years, Bartlett’s “felt the impact on myself, not just my Little, as we’ve grown together and continue to give each other different perspectives. My Little is truly a part of my life forever.”
The purpose of BBBS is to create and support one-to-one relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Studies have shown that the single most common factor for children who develop the critical skills of resilience is experiencing at least one stable relationship with a supportive, caring adult. Impact on youth also include increased self-confidence, improved academic performance, increased interest in learning, and an increased sense of belonging.
BBBS provides positive mentors for any youth, ages 6-17 years old, with the majority of local youth served being over the age of 12. Most local youth that have a mentor are a part of the community-based program where a youth, or “Little” is matched with an adult volunteer, or “Big.” Matches strive to meet out and about in the community four-six hours per month, where they participate in free or low-cost activities of their choice. BBBS also offers high school-aged Bigs an opportunity to mentor elementary-aged students in the classroom during the school day, at lunch, or after school hours.
In July 2023, Bartlett hired Ryan Orendorff as a program manager to specialize in the outreach and recruitment of youth, families, and volunteers in eastern La Plata County. Quickly a new BBBS office was established at the ELHI Community Center in downtown Ignacio, where staff are available from 9a.m. – 4p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, or by appointment. Being part of the ELHI community of nonprofits and community organizations has allowed BBBS to quickly feel at home in Ignacio.
Orendorff says that the initial growth of BBBS in Ignacio has been encouraging, but slower than he anticipated. “We have seen an interest from families who are looking for additional support for their children,” Orendorff said. “Ignacio School District has welcomed us with open arms, allowing us to recruit at events, and offering referrals from school counselors once we are established with prospective Bigs. But adult volunteers have been harder to recruit, due mostly to the fact that everyone is so busy and maybe not sure if they can make the time commitment.”
Bigs are asked to commit to at least one year of being matched, and to spend a minimum of four hours a month with their Little. “It can be an incredibly fun, rewarding way to make a huge difference in someone’s life,” Orendorff said. Matches are placed together based on personalities, preferences, and common interests. Once matched, staff are there to support everyone involved to ensure safety and success.
Anyone interested in enrolling a youth or volunteering as a mentor can contact Ryan Orendorff, Program Manager, at 970-507-1277 or ryan@bbig.org. You can also learn more at www.bbig.org.