Georgian College students from the child and youth care program held an information session at the Orillia campus this week for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Orillia & District.
BBBS mentoring coordinator Lauren Romanko says the first-time initiative was a success.
"There has been some really good interest," she said. "We've had some people come up to our table to grab some applications, so it's looking promising."
Romanko says the partnership with Georgian College "means a lot."
"Right now, our wait list is at an all-time high," she said. "Right now, we have about 70 children on our waiting list, so we are really trying to ramp up our volunteer recruitment."
Romanko says volunteering with BBBS is a "really great" opportunity for college and university students.
"It's only an hour a week," she said. "It gives you a break from school, helps make connections, and is great for resume building."
Romanko, who's been matched with a little sister for more than two years, says volunteering with the organization is the highlight of her week.
"We go to Starbucks and play board games together," she said. "I can tell she is benefiting from it and enjoys the connection."
Volunteering to spend time with youth can help ignite their potential, Romanko says.
"It helps them see what their future can be," she said. "There are so many conversations that I've had with my sister about what college and university is like. Being able to plant those great opportunities in her head helps her realize the potential that she has."
Tania Ayers, a second-year child and youth student at Georgian College, says spreading the word about BBBS is important to her.
"There is a two-year wait list for boys to find a match," she said. "Most of them age out of the program without even being matched. It's crucial that we change that."
Ayers, 34, says it's crucial for youth to have adult mentors.
"Children deserve to be valued," she said. "If we can spend an hour on our phones scrolling, we can spend an hour with a child who is deserving."
Aimee Lincoln, a second-year child and youth student at Georgian College, says it's important for the community to support BBBS.
"We can pull together a few hours a week to show some love to these kids who need a mentor," she said. "It just gives them hope and lets them know that there are good people in the community who can support them."
Lincoln hopes more people will step up to create relationships with youth through BBBS.
"It's important to give them a little guidance," she said. "There is such a need and not a lot of awareness, which is why today is the perfect opportunity for us to help plug it."
For more information about volunteering with BBBS, click here.
