Students and volunteers in the Lunch Buddy program at Aspen Elementary held a party at the end of the school year. Photo Courtesy LAPS

LAPS NEWS RELEASE

It’s the start of the new school year. Teachers are setting up classrooms in anticipation of the arrival of students. Families are shopping for school supplies and new clothes. Students are
cramming as much fun as possible into the last days of summer vacation. Community organizations are recruiting volunteers to support their student programs, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico (BBBSNM).

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico supports youth by creating one-on-one mentorships. Last year, there were 41 matches in their programs in Los Alamos.

There are two opportunities for volunteers to mentor a “little,” explained Megan Jackson, BBBSNM Assistant Manager for Los Alamos and Española. “Our Community-Based program is highly flexible and allows for endless possibilities for Bigs to connect with their Littles. Matches get to know each other by having fun and doing activities out in the community.”

Volunteers have the option to meet on evenings or weekends. Activities might include going to a museum, on a hike, or to a movie at SALA.

“In our Site-Based, or ‘Lunch Buddy’, program, mentors meet with a child at the child’s school during their lunch/recess period,” she said. “These matches meet once a week and they enjoy talking, playing games, making crafts, and playing on the playground together.”

“We currently have lunch buddy programs at Aspen Elementary, Barranca Mesa Elementary, Chamisa Elementary, and Los Alamos Middle School,” Mrs. Jackson said. “We also have High School Big programs at Mountain Elementary and Barranca Mesa Elementary where high school students mentor elementary-aged students at the school site once a week.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters started in Santa Fe in 1979. The program has been in Los Alamos for
over 18 years. The organization just merged, coming together with other regions in New Mexico

• One Mission, One State, One Big Difference.

To become a Lunch Buddy, applicants first complete an application that includes three references, and conduct a background check, which is funded by BBBSNM. There is an interview which can be held somewhere around town- after work or on a weekend, whichever is more convenient. Online training will be assigned, and then BBBSNM will match you with a Little that shares values, interests, and personality traits. BBBSNM recommends meeting four to six hours per month.

“The BBBS Lunch Buddies who volunteer their time each week to come to Aspen to have lunch with their matched students and spend time with them make a really wonderful impact on these students and their experience here at school,” said Kim Holladay, the school counselor at Aspen Elementary. “I’m truly grateful for each of them!”

One student said, “My friends see me with my Big Sister and want to have one, too!” Whether you’d like to volunteer or know a student who could benefit from a mentor, it all starts with an application. Email megan.jackson@bbbsnm.or to get started. Check out the BBBSNM website at https://bbbsnm.org/ for more information.