The one-on-one mentoring nonprofit organization Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee moved virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting the organization and the Milwaukee community.
Big Brothers Big Sisters made the transition to online programs in March 2020. “A lot of the children within BBBS have technology barriers, so that was became part of the challenge,” said Vice President of Community Engagement Kathy Miller.
The organization offers three different programs: school-based, community-based and “Mentor 2.0.” In the school-based program the Big Brother or Big Sister help children with schoolwork during lunch or after school. The community-based program is more personal, as the Big Sister or Big Brother pick the child up to do activities. Mentor 2.0 is when high school students are matched with professional working individuals.
“Mentor 2.0 already had a virtual aspect to it. Professional working people would typically communicate with the high schoolers online. They did always meet once a month as well, so that that one had the least amount of transition,” Miller said.
The school-based program has been the biggest challenge for the organization due to the different Milwaukee Public Schools COVID-19 precautions. Miller said hundreds of children within the Metro of Milwaukee are struggling on a day-to-day basis. The organization said they are hopeful that they will be able to resume in person activities soon.
Big Brother Aaron and Little Brother Xavier have been matched for about two years in the community-based program. They were the 2020 Big Brothers Big Sisters Match of the Year.
Aaron said how difficult it was to transition online because he and Xavier bonded over a variety of different outdoor activities. He said he felt for Xavier because now Xavier was not only going to school online, but their relationship had too as well.
Xavier and Aaron’s relationship is built on a strong foundation of communication, friendship, consistency and mutual respect. Although the two have faced challenges through this pandemic, they continue to build their relationship.
“We are like minded, have a good connection and see each other as friends. We have never had an awkward interaction. He’s someone I can go to. Even when we are in the middle of something fun, out of nowhere he will start talking about life lessons and real-world things,” said Little Brother Xavier.
Instead of joining a Zoom call weekly, the two decided to get an app called HouseParty, where you are able to interact and play games with each other. This allowed to them to still maintain the friendship online but making it more fun. Now, the two are beginning to be able to meet in person again.
“The biggest thing is as long as we are able to be active and do some sorts of unique things, whether it’s you know from the start off being this huge groups, too now, just even taking like a simple walk down by the lake,” said Big Brother Aaron.
In July of 2020, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Milwaukee hosted a drive-thru backpack distribution. “I think we’ve tried to be as creative as possible. We all really miss the interaction. Our staff was so happy to see all of the children. We realized over the course of this past year how valuable human and physical connections are,” said Miller.
The organization also started to come up with new ideas to physically engage with the kids in. They created a specialized kit depending on what the child enjoys for activities. For example, they created cooking kits filled with supplies that the parents could pick up. The Big Brother or Sister would get to do that activity virtually with them.
In October, the children were sent pumpkin carving kits, pumpkins included. In November, they created a food, puzzles and games kit for families to have and do as well. “It’s not the same as it was before, but we tried and are continuing to try our best,” said Miller.
Miller said there were also kits filled with plain masks and markers. The children were able to create their own mask. “I can’t believe how artistic the children were with the masks. They were so inventive, and it was a big hit with the kids,” said Miller.
Over the last couple months, Big Brothers Big Sisters let the families choose whether they felt comfortable with the Big Sisters Big Brothers meeting their child and going to events. Events within the organization are limited with precautions in place prior to attending, according to Miller. The organization said they are excited and hopeful to resume back to normal in person events in the future.
To get involved or donate, visit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee’s website or Facebook.