“Social isolation doesn't have to mean emotional isolation.”

That's the message Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area wants to send to the community.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, like many other organizations, BBBS matches have been staying connected in virtual ways.

Manager of Recruitment and Community Engagement Jodi McKay says besides finding innovative ways to connect, it's pretty much been business as usual, and in fact the need for mentors has grown.

"We are more committed than ever to really nurturing and supporting the mentoring relationships between our Bigs and Littles," McKay says. "Our team has done a really good job finding virtual activities. We've created a portal right on our website, created a really neat Bingo game where the Bigs and Littles can do virtual activities together."

McKay says some matches are cooking virtually together, playing video games, and others are simply having meaningful phone conversations. Other Figs are finding themselves reliving their younger years as they help their Littles with school work.

"The role isn't always to be that tutor, but in this time a lot of them are supporting their Littles in a variety [of ways]," McKay says. "They're expanding their experiences through this and a lot of our mentoring relationships are out there trying some new things."

McKay says there is a need for volunteers in Airdrie and that there is no better time to become a BBBS mentor.

"We have 44 young people between the ages of six and 18 in Airdrie waiting for a mentor right now."

To find out more about how to become a BBBS mentor, click HERE.

 

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