But when your main goal is to help youngsters develop in a positive and caring environment by pairing with mentors dedicated to that cause, well, you find a way to get things done.
For the local Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter, that means plenty of online experiences and some unique ideas and projects, all with the idea of keeping their program active and vibrant regardless of the times.
“Things are going really well,” said BBBS of Regina and Area regional director Amy Noureldin, which covers the local chapter. “We certainly have continued to support our matches through the pandemic and we’ve made a few new ones, which is really exciting. We’ve transitioned everything virtually so all of the face-to-face or in-person things we would usually do to introduce mentors and mentees and their families are done virtually.
“It’s weird, but we’re making it work and people are flexible and understanding, of course.”
The way things work at the moment is when a match is made, the mentor and mentee meet virtually and then decide, based on their comfort level with COVID, whether they want to stay virtual or meet outside while remaining in scope of safety regulations.
“We’re always recommending everyone follow SHA guidelines and if some are comfortable getting together outside, going tobogganing or skating or for a walk or anything like that, they do.” Noureldin said. “Some are meeting only virtually, which is fine, and some are doing a hybrid of both. It depends on the weather and the comfortability of everyone.”
Those that have decided to stay virtual have been as inventive as all out when it comes to putting together projects and events to keep their ‘littles’ entertained and involved.
“There have been some really creative things mentors have done,” Noureldin said. “One of our matches had a journal that the mentor would write in and then drop off at the little’s house, then the little would write in it or draw something and the mentor would pick it back up, they’d go back and forth like that.”
Some have even baked together online through a virtual connection and then swapped their creations, one of many “really cool ways the mentors have been able to be dedicated and work with the kids,” Noureldin said.
Currently, there are about 15 matches in Moose Jaw, with a waiting list of littles. Anyone looking to become a mentor can visit bbbsregina.ca for a full rundown of how to become involved.
“We have screening and training processes to make sure our kids are safe and the mentors understand what the program is, what the expectations are, the guidelines and all that,” Noureldin explained.
Of course, all this comes with some overhead costs to facilitate, and that’s the current and ongoing Big Green Raffle comes into play. Valued at $6,500, the raffle features a pair of nifty prizes.
The 14-karat gold necklace up for raffle as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters' Big Green Raffle. Facebook photoLeading the way is a 14-karat gold emerald necklace designed exclusively for Big Brothers Big Sisters by jeweller Hillberg and Berk. The $4,500 piece is the first in a limited collection of four.
The package also includes a home game experience for two with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, beginning with a pre-game sideline pass that allows participants to cross paths with players -- and possibly even Gainer -- prior to the game. The winners will then take in the contest from one of the suites at Mosaic Stadium, complete with the full food and drink experience and one of the best views in the house.
“It’s a real cool combination of all things Saskatchewan and all things green and every dollar raised supports making new matches in our community,” Noureldin said.
Tickets are one for $10, three for $25 and 20 for $100 and can be purchased at www.bbbsraffle.ca in Regina, Weyburn and Moose Jaw as well at 1-866-531-7045 for anyone else in Saskatchewan.
For more on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Moose, be sure to visit their website at bbbsregina.ca.
