Across the western Upper Peninsula, kids need to talk to someone. But sometimes it’s easier to open up to a mentor.
Big Brothers Big Sisters in Copper Country has helped kids feel welcome and builds confidence, while also introducing them to new friends and experiences. Maggie Munch and Kara Chamberlain each have seen the value a mentor can bring to a kid, as former participants. And now as staff with the programs. Chamberlain explained that the success of these programs can be seen in small gestures between participants.
I saw my little at the grocery store and she came up and gave me the biggest hug and it was so cool. You know, the boys, especially, you know, cause they’re pretty cool, shared Program coordinator Kara Chamberlain.
She continued, the high school boys, they’re like, yeah, I saw my little biking down the street and he biked over, dropped his bike and ran over and gave me a hug. I didn’t even think he liked me. You know, it’s like, you know, seeing those little, just the little things like that happening. It just makes you kind of go, okay, they’re getting it. We’re doing a good job.
BBBS Regional Director Maggie Munch says her dedicated team works with students around the region. Creatively using resources the programs have access too.
All of the kids in our program, we have over 250 young people who are matched to a mentor right now. And in that program, we don’t charge it. We don’t charge families. It’s free of charge. We partner with schools with some of our programming, said Munch.
Big Brothers Big Sisters provide a variety of programs to young people in the western upper peninsula and northern Wisconsin. Such as community-based mentoring, site specific mentors, and the high five program that pairs young students with a high school student. Giving Tuesday Is a major source of support for Big Brothers Big Sisters Of The Western UP. In 2024 the campaign raised more than 30,000 dollars to support BBBS programs.
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