Big Brothers Big Sisters Seeks School Coordinators for 2013-14 School Year

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine’s School-Based Mentoring program takes place at 32 schools/sites in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Somerset and Waldo Counties.  Shown are children in the SBM program at the Gilbert School in Augusta.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine (BBBSMM) is looking for community minded volunteers to serve as School Coordinators at its School-Based Mentoring sites this fall.  Coordinators are adults from the community who can dedicate 1½ hours for one day each week from October through May (except school vacation weeks) to be at the match meetings of high school and college-aged Bigs and elementary and middle-school aged Littles.  The meetings take place after the school day, which varies by location.

Every school mentoring location has 1-2 coordinators who attend each week to oversee and supervise the weekly match meetings to ensure match quality and child safety.   School Coordinators are interviewed in person and screened and trained by a professional BBBSMM staff member.   Initial orientation and ongoing professional support for all new and returning volunteers are provided by BBBSMM staff.

Successful School Coordinators are responsible, dedicated, love working with and coaching youth of all ages and backgrounds, have great listening skills, are willing to learn, love to play, have patience, flexibility and a sense of humor.  Coordinators arrive early to greet the Bigs and Littles.  They help set up and clean up meeting supplies and snacks, facilitate group match activities if appropriate, and coach Bigs as they navigate their relationships with their Littles.  Coordinators have regular weekly contact with BBBSMM staff to discuss match meeting and site logistics, attendance, successes, issues and concerns.

The agency is looking for School Coordinators at the following sites for the 2013-14 school year:

Knox County—Appleton Village School, Camden-Rockport Elementary School, Hope Elementary School, South School (Rockland), Warren Community School

Lincoln County—Great Salt Bay (Damariscotta), Nobleboro Central School, Miller Elementary School

Waldo County—East Belfast School, Lincolnville Central School, Leroy Smith School (Winterport), Wagner Middle School (Winterport), Mt. View Elementary (Thorndike)

Penobscot County – Fairmount School (Bangor), Downeast School (Bangor), Newport Elementary School, Corinna Elementary School

Kennebec County – Gardiner Boys & Girls Club, Gilbert Elementary School (Augusta), Farrington Elementary School (Augusta)

Somerset County – Margaret Chase Smith School (Skowhegan), Bloomfield Elementary (Skowhegan)
According to Troy Alexander, School Coordinator at Gilbert Elementary School, “the role of school-based coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters is an excellent opportunity to support youth and end the day with a smile on your face and a feeling of a job well done!”

Coordinators spend time with each Big and Little, observing interactions, and coaching Bigs as they learn more about their Littles and the adversities they may be facing in their lives.  Coordinators help Bigs and Littles discover more about themselves through the match experience.   Bigs in the program see the huge impact they make in their Little’s life by being there each week, and the Littles benefit from having an older, positive role model and a friend they can count on.

If you are interested in learning more about this role and would like to set up an in-person interview, please contact Matt Donahue, School-Based Mentoring Director, at (207) 941-2808 ext. 342 or email matt@bbbsmidmaine.org.