Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine has received a $10,000 grant from the Kay E. Dopp Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. The funding is to provide critical social and emotional development needed to help build resilience and promote the mental health and well-being of children through one-to-one youth mentoring.

Executive Director of BBBS of Mid-Maine Gwendolyn Hudson said the kindness of the Maine Community Foundation comes at a critical time.

“We are incredibly grateful for Maine Community Foundation’s support. Children have been among the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting their health and mental well-being,” Hudson said in a news release from the program. “Providing our one-to-one youth mentoring services is critical now more than ever. This grant will help support the more than 500 youth we currently serve, and will help create, screen, train and support new mentors for the 100 children waiting to be matched with a caring, supportive, positive role model.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine’s long-standing, successful mentoring programs pair children, ages 5 to 14 (Littles), with caring, responsible role models (Bigs) in one-to-one friendships in seven counties throughout eastern, coastal and central Maine. They partner with parents, in conjunction with more than 30 schools and hundreds of volunteers and partners in the community, to help children have higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships, and avoid risky behaviors and achieve greater educational success.

To enroll a child, become a mentor or support BBBS of Mid-Maine, visit bbbsmidmaine.org or call 207-236-BBBS.

To learn more about the Maine Community Foundation, visit mainecf.org.

Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.

« Previous

Palermo library reopens, adds new board member

Next »

Fayette school, students support foster care children