If you enjoy reading, crafts or assisting with basic elementary school homework, this is the perfect volunteer opportunity for you!
Our After School Program consists of a Homework Club and Reading Circle. Partnered with Barrie Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corporation, children meet weekly after school in selected sites. It is a group based setting, facilitated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Barrie and District staff and volunteer mentors.
When the children in these selected sites finish their school day, they drop into the Homework Club. There, they are greeted by staff in the activity room, plunk down their homework and are guided through it, either one on one with a mentor, or in a small group.
Reading Circle provides the children with quiet time for reading, or being read to by our mentors, using a variety of age appropriate and fun books. Along with discovering the joy of reading they receive a healthy snack that they help to prepare.
In addition to learning, the kids have the opportunity to interact with their peers, make new friends and enjoy visits from others in the community. Special guests have included police officers, a nutritionist and Santa Claus!
Literacy remains the focus of games and activities, once the homework and reading are completed.
As with all volunteer opportunities at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Barrie and District, new applicants are interviewed, required to provide references and a current police check.
With the vision of offering these children an ongoing, weekly, group mentoring opportunity that's just for them, BBBS of Barrie asks that the After School Mentors commit one to four hours of their time, one day a week, during the school year.
One of our mentors stated, "I come home after the program feeling happy and hopeful, knowing I'm making a positive contribution."
Regular, weekly attendance models the importance of commitment and dependability to the children, while allowing them to look forward to seeing their special mentor.
For all of the benefits the After School Program provides, nothing can compare to the undivided attention a child receives from an adult mentor.
Sign up now to give of your time and have some fun. You'll be glad you did!
Share a Little Magic....
- Marianne Arbour is the executive director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Barrie and Area. Contact the organization at 728-0515, or e-mail to bbbsbarrie@aol.com.
For more, visit www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/barrie/
