Guest Speaker/Programme Kath Boyd - “Big Brother, Big Sister”Kath was introduced by Clive Adams as the programme manager for a key mentoring programme in our community – “Big Brother, Big Sister”
In 1904, a young New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter observed more and more boys come through his courtroom.
He recognised that caring adults could help many of these kids stay out of trouble, and he set out to find volunteer mentors.
At about the same time, the members of a group called Ladies of Charity were befriending girls who had come through the New York Children’s Court.
The first Aotearoa New Zealand Big Brothers Big Sisters programme was established in Dannevirke, where the first mentoring match was made in November 1996.
These two initiatives marked the beginning of what has become an international organisation, operating in 13 countries, and serving over 280,000 children in need. After 100+ years the organisation remains true to the founder’s vision of bringing caring mentors into the lives of children and young people.
The traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters relationship happens after school or on the weekend.
It’s all about an adult volunteer (over 18) and a young person (aged between 6 & 12) spending one-to-one time together, initially for one hour a week for a minimum of 12 months. Most sessions take place in the community, at a library, a park, the beach or at other free facilities.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters has managed to continue through Covid but is always on the lookout for mentors to help in the programme. Funding is also very tight and Rotary has been a great supporter in the past. For more information, https://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.nz/hawkes-bay, or kath@bbbs.nz Clive gave the VOT.