In Charlottesville Va., Madison House’s Big Siblings program has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge. At a given time there are 100- 150 children on a Big Brothers Big Sisters wait list. The new partnership aims to help more than 100 children move off of the wait list and get a mentor.
Madison House and BBBS both run very similar programs so they decided to come together to create the best sibling program out there. BBBS of Central Blue Ridge helps children who need help with school, or are struggling with being bullied or gang activity. Many children who are in programs come from single parent households, have family members incarcerated, or are living in poverty. The program helps children in Charlottesville and Albemarle county. Madison House runs a program called “Bridging the Gap”. This program mentors refugee children in Charlottesville.
The idea for collaboration came about last spring semester. The organizations are equally working together to create an advanced mentoring program. Big Siblings has a lot of input on the new mentoring program. Volunteers at the Madison House will match the children with their new mentor. The volunteers at the Madison House will be working with guidance counselors from the local schools to help them with the matching progress. The Mentors will be from the University of Virginia and they will receive training and professional support. The Madison House Big Siblings director said, “The application process will also include an interview and a background check to ensure the program draws really committed volunteers.” She is confident that this new program will grow past this academic year and continue on for many more.
Please comment below if any schools near you have been teaming up with local organizations! I would love to hear about all of the positive things that have come from collaborations.
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