For more than 60 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands has helped children realize their potential and build their futures. They nurture children and strengthen the communities they are in, but this organization has also been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are primarily a community-based mentoring program so all of our matches are used to going out into the community and doing things together that they enjoy,” said Lauren Mohatt, assistant director of development. “So, throughout the pandemic we have had to pivot that and go virtual.”
As a donor and volunteer organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful matches between adult volunteers known as “bigs” and children aged seven to 21 known as “littles.” The lasting impact this match can have is extraordinary, Mohatt said.
“It is definitely profound,” she said. “There are probably even more factors with this pandemic. On the flip side, too, of impacting the “bigs,” we hear all the time about how they can feel young again.”
This non-profit organization has been around for some time now, but despite history, every organization experiences change.
“We have tried to bring our program online and also continue having it in person just so we are a lot more versatile and not limited to just our in person meetings,” said Abiola Kosoki, director of marketing and recruitment.
