Members of the Humboldt Broncos bowling with Big Brothers Big Sisters children (Submitted photo/Jodie Hergott, Big Brothers Big Sisters Humboldt)

By Ben Tompkins

Childhood mentorship

Humboldt celebrating Big Brothers Big Sisters month

Sep 9, 2022 | 11:51 AM

September is Big Brothers Big Sisters month and the City of Humboldt has joined in the proclamation.

To help celebrate, city hall has been lit up every night as we inch closer to Big Brothers Big Sisters day on Sept. 18.

Development Coordinator Jodie Hergott told northeastNOW they’re grateful to the city for continually supporting their efforts.

“We are really blessed that Humboldt and area embraces our efforts. They’re helping us cultivate positive and resilient lifestyles for our youth.”

And those efforts aren’t just showcased during this month, as the club aims to help children all year round.

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Hergott said they currently have 11 matches in the community, however, 21 children are still on their waitlist – a number they hope to decrease.

“This year, we’re hoping to reach new faces and engage their hearts and their minds to connect and volunteer and support us. That way, we’re going to continue to provide the antidote to childhood adversities experienced by too many children and families in our community.”

Their services go beyond Humboldt. They currently have matches in Bruno, Middle Lake, Lanigan and Watson. Hergott added matches can only be made if there is a mentor and a youth in need in the area, as well as a few similarities between the two.

“These matches are based on common interests, so they’re probably going to have a good idea of the activities that they’re going to pursue together,” she said.

“We’re all about supporting that match and just making sure that the relationship that develops is a successful one. It really is a friendship based on commonalities, where the mentor can offer some wisdom and some lived life experiences to help that youth and guide them through the ups and downs of childhood and teenage years.”

Those ‘ups and downs’ can be amplified with the start of a new school year. Hergott was sure to remind people that there are in-school mentoring programs available. They typically occur during the lunch hour, once a week and the mentors usually do crafts or play games provided with their match.

“The power of an hour can really change your life. Consider maybe giving up one lunch hour, once a week, to make a difference in the life of a child, it’s actually pretty fun and easy.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8