Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sarnia-Lambton is temporarily closing its male community-based wait list until more volunteers sign up for the one-to-one mentor program.
The non-profit organization said the temporary measure will take effect on April 1, and new inquiries will not be accepted until further notice.
Executive Director Kaylen Burgess said, to her knowledge, the organization has never had to resort to this before.
"The demand is growing. There are more kids in the community who need support. The volunteers have remained pretty steady throughout the years, so this is the first time we've actually had to take this step," Burgess said. "We're hoping people understand that we're doing this to support the kids that we have already waiting and we hope it's very temporary and we're able to open it back up soon."
More than 70 male youth are currently waiting for one-to-one big brother mentors.
Burgess said discussions to pause intake for male youth have been ongoing for the past 12 to 18 months.
"We're asking for help. Our community has always been so generous. Now, we're asking for their time. A few hours a week can certainly change the life of a kid in our community and give them a chance to grow up great," she said. "We're really hoping that this pause on the waitlist comes as a call to action for the community."
Prospective big brothers need to be at least 18 years old. Volunteers will go through a screening process and training to ensure they're a good fit for the program.
"There are tons of support throughout the entirety of the match," Burgess said. "Each match is matched up with a case worker as well, who supports them from beginning to end to make sure it's very successful and safe for everybody."
The temporary measure only applies to the male waitlist. Burgess said referrals are still being accepted for little sisters.
Those interested in volunteering can apply through the organization's website or by calling (519) 336-0460.
