To address the variety of
children's needs in our community, we support three
unique programs:
Community Match
Program
This cornerstone program
matches "Littles" (children ages 6 to 14) to "Bigs"
(volunteer adults) for a friendship of at least one
year. Our match recruitment specialist evaluates the
special needs of each child and carefully selects
adult volunteers to pair with them, based on common
interests, abilities, and personalities. With
continued support of the match support specialist,
the pairs then spend time together, normally several
hours a month, doing ordinary things they both enjoy.
The agency also sponsors regular events that all the
pairs may attend. Our well-matched pairs frequently
choose to remain friends in the program well after
the year is through.
School-Based Mentoring
Programs
Big Brothers Big Sisters programs are becoming increasingly popular in local schools. In these site-based programs, community adults and teens are paired with youngsters for weekly sessions at their schools. Activities are provided for each supervised session. Studies indicate that these programs reap many of the same benefits of our traditional program. We currently serve over 400 children in the following schools:
Bath: Dike-Newell,
Fisher-Mitchell, Bath Middle School
Bowdoin: Bowdoin
Central School
Bowdoinham: Bowdoinham
Community School
Brunswick: Brunswick Jr. High, Coffin, Hawthorne, Jordan Acres, Longfellow
Georgetown: Georgetown
Central School
Harpswell: Harpswell
Island School
Phippsburg: Phippsburg Elementary School
Island School
Topsham: Williams
Cone, Woodside, Mount Ararat Middle
West Harpswell: West Harpswell Elementary School
Bears and Cubs
The program is a partnership
effort with the Bowdoin College community. Children
participating in this program are “waiting”
for a Big in our Community Match Program. The waiting
children are paired with specially-selected college
students who then meet on campus Sunday afternoons
for activities ranging from swimming to crafts.
Big Fun with Fitness- Summer Program
The "Big Fun with Fitness" Mentoring Program at the Bath Area Family YMCA pairs caring adult and teen mentors with children in a one-to-one friendship to enjoy a variety of activities offered at the Y. This is a six week summer program, taking place in July and August. Mentoring pairs have access to the rock climbing wall, indoor track, basketball and racquetball courts, as well as a variety of board games and craft projects. This program provides both youth and adults with a great opportunity to share friendship, fun and fitness!
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