Big Buddy-Little Buddy
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"A cross-age mentoring program that matches up a high school student with a younger student for support and guidance."
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Inspired by Matilda Cuomo’s mentor program for youth ages 7 to 21, North Shore Youth Council was the first agency on Long Island to implement a one-on-one school-based mentoring service for at-risk youth. |
North Shore Youth Council's Big Buddy-Little Buddy initiative has roots spanning back to the organization's beginning. What began as a simple peer-to-peer tutoring program flourished into the current comprehensive mentoring service based on mutual relationships of positive support and guidance for students.
Inspired by Matilda Cuomo’s mentor program for youth ages 7 to 21, our agency was the first on Long Island to implement a one-on-one school-based mentoring service for at-risk youth. In the beginning of the school year, high school volunteers, or “Big Buddies,” are thoroughly trained under the guidelines of the Long Island Mentoring Partnership and paired up with younger students, or “Little Buddies,” to become their positive, responsible role models. “Big Buddies” motivate their “Little Buddies” to perform well at school, they encourage them to engage in recreational activities, and they help them overcome social fears. Our buddies gain meaningful experiences by spending time together each week in a structured, fun, and safe environment that is supervised by adults.
Each year we applaud the successes of the Big Buddy-Little Buddy program by holding a celebration for all of the buddies and their families. Our youth are honored by North Shore Youth Council staff and local officials and awarded certificates for their participation, dedication, and volunteer work. Recognizing the students' commitment to making a real difference in the lives of their peers, the local communities and businesses support our event through sponsorships, donations, and raffles.
If you are interested in learning more about this program, how to become a sponsor, or how to contribute donations, contact us at 631-744-0207.
Inspired by Matilda Cuomo’s mentor program for youth ages 7 to 21, our agency was the first on Long Island to implement a one-on-one school-based mentoring service for at-risk youth. In the beginning of the school year, high school volunteers, or “Big Buddies,” are thoroughly trained under the guidelines of the Long Island Mentoring Partnership and paired up with younger students, or “Little Buddies,” to become their positive, responsible role models. “Big Buddies” motivate their “Little Buddies” to perform well at school, they encourage them to engage in recreational activities, and they help them overcome social fears. Our buddies gain meaningful experiences by spending time together each week in a structured, fun, and safe environment that is supervised by adults.
Each year we applaud the successes of the Big Buddy-Little Buddy program by holding a celebration for all of the buddies and their families. Our youth are honored by North Shore Youth Council staff and local officials and awarded certificates for their participation, dedication, and volunteer work. Recognizing the students' commitment to making a real difference in the lives of their peers, the local communities and businesses support our event through sponsorships, donations, and raffles.
If you are interested in learning more about this program, how to become a sponsor, or how to contribute donations, contact us at 631-744-0207.