Cape Fear Volunteer Center’s Big Buddy program is a, one-on-one mentoring program that matches “at-risk” youth ages 6-18 in New Hanover County with positive adult role models. Youth are identified as “at-risk” due to the following circumstances: involvement with the Juvenile Justice system, excessive in-school and out of school suspensions, poor academic performance, and lack of a positive role model. The Cape Fear Volunteer Center works to recruit and train volunteers, matches volunteers with youth, offers support and guidance through case management, and provides monthly group activities. The program requires all volunteers to spend a minimum of 2 hours each week with their buddy for one year. During the time together mentors assist with school performance offer encouragement and support; participate in community service activities to promote civic responsibility, and develop a plan of action to decrease behavioral issues and improve self-esteem. Through participation in the program youth become law abiding citizens, demonstrate improved academic performance, build self-esteem and confidence, receive fewer suspensions, and be contributing members of society. The Big Buddy program offers young people what they need and want most: adults who respect and listen to them, a safe environment where they can be themselves and have fun, and interesting, constructive activities that channel youthful energy into challenging pursuits. The need for a one-on-one mentoring program is evident based on the above facts alone. All of the statistics above demonstrate that children need more support. The Big Buddy program matches children with positive adult role models that promotes positive behavior, academic success and civic responsibility. Implementing a structured one-on-one mentoring program will reduces juvenile crime, decrease the frequency of in/out of school suspension, and decrease high school dropout rates. The Volunteer Center plans 1 event a month for you, you plan the other three weeks. We will check on you the first 6 weeks of your match and offer one on one training after the match is made. You select your own little buddy. At this moment we have more than 50 little buddies waiting for you to select one of them ! Call today!
The Cape Fear Volunteer Center
http://capefearvolunteercenter.org/staticpages/index.php/20080808154129947