Big Brothers Big Sisters connecting via social media platforms

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Beaver County, like many non-profit organizations, has been impacted by novel coronavirus, but developed approaches to continue its work.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Beaver County, like many non-profit organizations, has been impacted by novel coronavirus, but developed approaches to continue its work.

Its full- and part-time employees work from home to maintain and support one-to-one mentoring matches between adult volunteers called “Bigs” and children ages 5 through young adulthood called “Littles,” a program that works with nearly 250 youth and families.

Such mentoring, BBBS says, helps children perform better in school, make healthier choices, have higher self-esteem, and get along better with peers and family.

The ideal match is face-to-face, but with this time of social distancing, Bigs maintain contact with Littles via telephone, email, FaceTime, Skype and other social media tools, said Kim Anastas, executive director, in a statement.

“We have shared tips on playing online games, mailing cards, virtual scavenger hunts, and more. This has been working well with our community matches,” she said. “We are encouraging Bigs that their role is to help alleviate their Littles’ fears and at the very least, to stress to the Littles that they are cared for.”

Anastas said BBBS’ Geneva College program will not resume until at least September because Geneva students will finish the semester remotely. Returning Bigs have been asked to maintain contact with Littles at least through May. Bigs not returning to Geneva because of graduation or other circumstances have been asked to make final contact with Littles and staff will touch base with families to communicate future eligibility for rematch, she said.

Its Beyond School Walls workplace mentoring program is also on hiatus until schools resume. Lincoln Learning Solutions, a partner and site for BSW, is working to connect Bigs and Littles via monthly live remote.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake, one of three major fundraisers, and the annual appreciation dinner had to be canceled.

Golf for Kids’ Sake is scheduled June 19, but its fate is uncertain, Anastas said.