Everyone's minds are naturally turning to "Back to School" thoughts as fall is right around the corner, but what better way to usher in this new season than by volunteering at one of our partnering schools?
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee offers many choices in mentoring a child at one of our partnering public sites like schools and resource centers.
The child enjoys the stability and personal attention of a one-to-one friendship, while the volunteer is able to schedule their mentoring time and location into a busy work or school day.
We are actively recruiting site based volunteers for the 2008-2009 school year, so please contact our office at 329-9191 to sign up today.
Look for public recruitment drives at several Nashville area college campuses next month!
Vanderbilt University - September 2
Middle Tennessee State University - September 2
Tennessee State University - September 3
Belmont University - September 18
We are additionally increasing our Lunch & Learn programs this season to help find site-based mentors from partnering companies to volunteer at nearby school.
Look for us at Dell Corporation on September 10, 11, and 12!
If you would like us to come do a Lunch & Learn at your company, please
contact Chris Suitter for more info.
National independent research studies show that children with a mentor are proven to excel in their academics - improving their grades as well as their self-confidence, their interaction with teachers and other adults, and realizing new goals for themselves.
All of these wonderful improvements because of the simple commitment of one hour a week for one school year!
Maybe your time together is something as simple as reading together in the school library (remember the first time you successfully read through a book and knew all the words?)... or shooting some hoops together during recess on a playground and talking about your day.
Volunteers consistently report that the days they visit with their Little Brother or Sister are the highlight of their week and an appointment they truly look forward to - and the children couldn't agree more.
Don't think you have to be a math genius or expert in chemistry to become a site based mentor. We make every effort to match potential volunteers with children who share common interests - and create a friendship that can benefit that child to realize their full potential both academically and socially.
During the summer, volunteers in our site based program have the opportunity to stay in touch with their Little Brothers and Sisters through letters, telephone calls, emails and occasional group outings with fellow mentors - like this recent trip to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts for some "creative expression."
We also got together this summer at an area library to play board games and catch up on all the happenings over the past several weeks.
