CLEVELAND, Ohio– The Big brothers Big Sisters organization’s goal is to create and sustain meaningful mentoring connections through in-person interaction.
Jessica Walters is president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland and says Covid-19 restrictions are making face to face connections impossible, but it’s vital that connections between a big and little are still being made.
“Your job hasn’t changed. Really, the world around us has changed, but your job as a big is to be present and to keep communicating, keep reaching out,” Walers says.
She says Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland builds more than just friendships. The organization helps teach children social, emotional skills- which are now more important than ever.
“Knowing that you have a strong, stable adult, kind of, in your corner for you, through a difficult time can really be a life-changer for kids that are experiencing the anxiousness and worry and stress that goes along with all the ways that everybody’s life has been turned upside down by this pandemic.” Walters says.
Before coronavirus restrictions were put in place, the organization encouraged their big and little matches to meet at least once per month, but now, some matches, like Beau Bilinsky and Domanik Royce, are using technology connect several times per week. Bilinsky says physical separation won’t cause them to lose their connection
“I think if you develop a good relationship with them. You can be, you could be in a virtual world, and it’s still not going matter. It is just there.” Bilinsky says.
Bilinsky and Royce have been matched for almost a year.
“The big brothers, big sisters program really is fun. he does anything.” Royce says.
“We’ve gone to places like dave and busters, he and I both share a love of video games, so we’ve gone to an arcade before. And then, just the simple things, just going to the park playing catch, you know, playing football.” Bilinsky says.
And although they can’t do those specific activities right now, the pair says distance makes the heart grow fonder.
“Like all things. just gonna pass. so, when it does, it’s just going to make seeing each other even more fun and more exciting!” Bilinsky says.
Walters says along with ensuring big, and little connections aren’t lost due to covid-19, the organization is stepping up to support parents and families of their littles during this time as well.
‘Some of our parents are essential workers. So we see a lot of families that have participated in our program going through new difficulties and new challenges so, we’ve really stepped up the way that we provide resources.” She says.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland is actively looking for volunteers to meet with the growing need for mentors during this time. for more information, visit their website.