Big Sister Janna Martin of Bangor, right, and her Little Sister Eva have met weekly for three years as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine’s youth mentoring program. Because of a $33,000 grant from the Unity Foundation, BBBSMM will match 100 more children with Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Penobscot and Waldo counties in 2022. Submitted photo

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine received a $33,000 grant from the Unity Foundation, geared toward enhancing and expanding its one-to-one youth mentoring services in Penobscot and Northern Waldo counties.

The funding will provide support to its long-standing mentoring programs in the region, and more than triple the capacity to serve an additional 100 children in 2022, according to a news release from youth organization.

Executive Director of BBBS of Mid-Maine Gwendolyn Hudson said the foundation grant comes at an important time. “Big Brother and Big Sister mentors provide social and emotional development that is needed to help build resilience and support children’s mental health and well-being,” Hudson said. “We are grateful that the Unity Foundation has chosen to stand up with youth during a very critical time.”

Unity Foundation Chair and CEO Larry Sterrs said the partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters is consistent with foundation’s mission of investing in building the capacity of nonprofits that serve Maine. The foundation was started almost 22 years ago by longtime Unity residents Bert and Coral Clifford.

“For decades, the Cliffords used their success in local business to quietly support community nonprofits, generally with an eye toward strengthening organizations so that they could meet their mission,” Sterrs said. “Supporting local youth through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine’s proven mentoring programs is a perfect fit with the Cliffords’ vision and the foundation’s mission, as we help more kids by providing healthy, supportive relationships. Defending every child’s potential is an important investment in our future.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters has successfully served hundreds of youth in Penobscot and Northern Waldo counties for more than 50 years through two national mentoring service models. Community-based mentoring pairs caring, responsible adults in the community one to one with local youth facing adversity. School and site-based programs match elementary youth with high school and college students, who meet weekly at a school or partnering youth organization.

The partner programs of the organization are run at Leonard Middle School, Lewis Libby, Old Town Elementary, and the Old Town YMCA through Black Bear Mentors at the University of Maine at Orono. With the support of Unity Foundation funding, the agency plans to reopen the programs held at the Bangor Boys and Girls Club, supported by Bigs from Husson College, as well as programs at Smith and Wagner Schools in Winterport, supported by Bigs from Hampden Academy.

The grant will also fund hiring a new program manager at the agency’s Bangor location. This individual will be responsible for recruiting, screening, training, matching and supporting current and new matches. Grant funding is additionally earmarked to provide literacy materials for all Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine programs throughout eastern, coastal and central Maine.

Mae Slevinsky, program supervisor of the organization, said funding will be used to purchase a variety of educational materials that support individual learning, problem solving and improved literacy skills. “Bigs play an important role in encouraging reading and language-rich activities that support their Littles in their educational aspirations now, and in the future. Adding new tools to our mentoring programs builds more interest in learning.”

For more information, visit bbbsmidmaine.org, email info@bbbsmidmaine.org, or call 207-236-2227.