Megan Jackson of Big Brothers/Big Sisters spoke at recent Kiwanis meeting. Courtesy photo

By BROOKE DAVIS
Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos

Megan Jackson of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New Mexico gave a presentation at the Aug. 19 Los Alamos Kiwanis meeting. She gave a brief history of the organization and described their goals, activities and achievements.

The Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New Mexico (BBBSNM) Mountain Region has program specialists in Santa Fe, Dona Ana, Grant, Luna, Los Alamos, and Rio Arriba counties. They are a volunteer-supported mentoring network. As Jackson explained, “we are in the business of making matches”. Big Brothers and Big Sisters got their starts independently in 1904 and joined forces in1977. Since then, they have remained true to their founder’s vision of bringing caring role models into the lives of children. The Mountain Region gathers data annually to measure the outcome of their work. In the past year with 45,000 volunteer hours served, the children mentored were 90% more likely to do well in school, 46% less likely to abuse drugs, 89% less likely to make bad decisions, and were 91% more likely to feel better about themselves.

The organization has two programs. The first is Community Based and involves fostering friendship with and spending time (generally 4-6 hours per month) with a matched child, called a “Little”, conversing and engaging in fun activities. The School Based program allows mentors to spend time having lunch with their Littles at their schools. Jackson said that she appreciates the Los Alamos schools being flexible in accommodating this. There are currently matches in Aspen, Barranca, and the Middle School. In total, there are 28 matches in the community.

BBBS in Los Alamos hosts golf and bowling tournament fundraising activities and organizes monthly get-togethers with an activity program for any mentors and Littles that need more support and connections.