Mentors create carefree and adventurous outlets for young people who want to experience the world around them and learn about themselves in the process. Instead of a week sleeping away at camp, a Big will come on weekends and shuttle a Little into a new formative learning experience.” Last summer, the agency had 2,800 active matches, with 107 new matches made between June and August. During the summer months, the agency helped Bigs and Littles remain in each other’s lives. That meant pivoting the usual in-person outings to virtual ones. BBBSEM continued to provide activities, resources and online engagement strategies so that the connections could continue, said McCarron. “Our matches responded brilliantly, continuing to meet virtually and learning together by having cooking competitions, doing art projects, exploring their respective and collective identities and celebrating life’s little victories.”
The relationship rewards go both ways
Mentors say their involvement is enriching as well. Brian Pinch, a Charlestown resident who has been mentoring Jamar Bell for nearly a decade, initially got involved simply to give back. A colleague at work was a part of the program and he persuaded Pinch to attend an information session. “It hit me that so many kids are on a waiting list waiting for mentors to enter the program,” said Pinch. Soon after, Pinch signed up to help and was paired. Now that he and Bell have known each other for several years, the relationship has matured from simply mentor and mentee to friendship. “As he got older, I’d say ‘Let’s just meet up and hang out.’ It’s certainly been a rocky year with COVID. For the most part in the last year and has been mostly virtually. But we have an easy friendship and often just text each other to catch up.” Monik Mehta, a Weston resident, was originally first aware of the program as a financial supporter. But he wanted to do more.
“Giving a check is fine, but giving your time is priceless.” Monik Mehta
finally
forever
April’s Child: Meet Aylin
Hi, my name is Aylin and I have a contagious laugh! Aylin is a 12-year-old girl of Hispanic descent with a great sense of humor who loves to draw. Those who meet Aylin immediately note her big smile, and it is clear that she takes pride in her appearance. Aylin enjoys working on craft projects, playing outside, riding her bike, and watching television. Aylin likes school and forms friendships well with additional support. She currently receives extra supports in class for social and emotional needs. Legally freed for adoption, Aylin is very much looking forward to becoming part of a loving family. Her social worker feels that she will do best in a family with two mothers,
“Giving a check is fine, but giving your time is priceless,” said Mehta. “I specifically
a mother and a father, or a single mother. Aylin will do well as an only child or with siblings that are older than her. She should be the youngest in the home, if possible. A family for Aylin must support her relationship with her younger sister, as well as help her visit with her biological mother twice a year, as specified in an Open Adoption Agreement. Can you provide the guidance, love and stability that a child needs? If you’re at least 18 years old, have a stable source of income, and room in your heart, you may be a perfect match to adopt a waiting child. Adoptive parents can be single, married, or partnered; experienced or not;
renters or homeowners; LGBTQ singles and couples. The process to adopt a child from foster care requires training, interviews, and home visits to determine if adoption is right for you, and if so, to help connect you with a child or sibling group that your family will be a good match for. To learn more about adoption from foster care, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at (617) 964-6273 or visit www. mareinc.org.
wanted to help children. “ Mehta is Elias Bell’s mentor and says their relationship has evolved over years. Before COVID, they often spent time going to a mall or going to sporting events, but their time together has been mostly virtual over the last year. This summer the hope is to resume more in-person meet ups again and head to Mehta’s gym, where Elias enjoys playing basketball and lifting weights. Hernandez says every moment for her boys is a gift. “The mentors have embraced the boys as family members. Being able to have those man-to- man conversations I can’t have with them is so helpful. They have been able to show boys there is more than what they experience in their house.”
BBBSEM is enrolling and matching Littles and Bigs virtually. For more information, to register a child, or to become a volunteer, visit: www.emass bigs.org.
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