VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is putting out a special call for BIGS – mentors who can benefit from the friendship of a Little Brother or Little Sister. There are 150 youth in Ventura County, “Littles,” who are anxiously waiting to meet their BBSVC program role model and friend. BBSVC intends to match more Bigs and Littles in Ventura County in an effort to break the cycles of adult complacency, and build stronger, more engaged communities.
With over 150 children on the BBSVC waitlist in total, there are youth in every city across Ventura County who are anxiously waiting to offer their wisdom and friendship as Little Brothers and Little Sisters, and some of these youth have been waiting for more than a year. Mentoring is not about changing one’s priorities or schedule, but many mentors find that it changes their lives for the better, forever: it’s a fun, easy, and impactful way to support a child’s journey towards a positive future.
As a part of this call to serve volunteers, BBSVC is also launching their “12 Kids of Christmas” campaign: BBSVC is looking for volunteers (of all backgrounds and faiths) who are interested in getting started as a Big during the holiday season and continuing as a mentor for at least one year, with the goal of matching at least a dozen youth by the end of the holiday season.
Anthony (name changed for privacy), 14 years old, is a one of the “12 Kids of Christmas” who has been on the BBSVC waitlist for over a year. He is hoping to be matched with a mentor who is willing to get outdoors and play basketball with him. The BBSVC mentoring model has high rates of success for youth like Anthony, as it matches Bigs and Littles based on common interests, compatible personalities, and goals – not just based on who is “next” on the list. Because of this, some youth end up waiting a long time to be matched with the “right” Big.
“What an amazing holiday gift it would be a Big to meet a Little Brother like Anthony. The best present that you can give – and receive – this holiday season is a gift of your time,” says Vice President of Recruitment, Danica Selvaggio. “Mentoring is a gift keeps on giving, and it impacts the lives of everyone who is involved.”
All of the Littles on the BBSVC waitlist are primarily from single-parent homes, foster or kinship care, or a home that lacks two positive role models. Over 70% of the youth on the BBSVC waitlist are boys. All of the children on the BBSVC waitlist are ready for a mentor to step in as a positive friend and role model at this time in their lives, and are looking forward to being a part of the program. BBSVC invites all role models in Ventura County who want to make a difference this holiday season and beyond to apply to be a BIG.
Anyone interested in learning more or who is ready to become a mentor may visit www.BBSVC.org/MENTOR. Interested parties may also contact Danica Selvaggio at dselvaggio@bbsvc.org or 805.484.2282.
PLEASE HELP BBSVC SERVE THE BIGS IN OUR COMMUNITY
by sharing this information with your friends and getting a volunteer application in their hands!
It’s not too late to help them!
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) has been connecting Bigs and Littles in professionally-supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships in Ventura County and neighboring communities since 1970. Facilitating more than 1,500 mentoring matches annually between community or school-based volunteers and youth ages 6-21 years old, BBSVC is committed to bringing their life-changing program to every child in Ventura County who needs it. BBSVC is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that depends on private donors for 75% of its funding.