LAURENS COUNTY, Ga. — After almost 15 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters is re-launching in Laurens County.
It's a mentorship program for children all across the country. According to their website:
"Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers ("Bigs") and children ("Littles"), ages 5 through young adulthood in communities across the country. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people."
In 2011, the Laurens County chapter dissolved because of a lack of funding. On Tuesday, they held a press conference at the Laurens County Board of Education building to celebrate its return.
"We're just so excited that this is finally happening. We've been talking about this for so long, since before the pandemic. And now it's finally coming to life," President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Heart of Georgia Betsy Fitzgerald said.
To relaunch in Laurens County, she said they've teamed up with another nonprofit, Communities in Schools.
"Both C.I.S. and Big Brothers Big Sisters are trusted, national brands. We have evidence-based programming that has been so effective in helping our youth," Fitzgerald said.
According to Communities In Schools' website:
"There are many reasons that prevent students from regularly attending school ranging from transportation, mental or physical health, access to clean clothes, or food insecurity. CIS site coordinators are physically present inside schools, working hand-in hand with administrators and families to provide essential resources for student success."
Hannah Theriault is one of two new site coordinators hired by Communities in Schools to work with students at the county high schools.
"I think it actually fits perfectly that we're partnered with Big Brother Big Sister, because that's kind of how I see my role is to just be a big sister," Theriault said.
She's going to have a classroom at West Laurens High School, and the other site coordinator will have a classroom at East Laurens High School.
They'll both work to do group-mentoring sessions, and individually, they'll each mentor a caseload of about 50 students.
"It can make you just feel loved, and supported. Believed in, cared about. You might not have that support from home," Theriault said.
Theriault was raised in Laurens County herself, and is a product of their schools.
She said certain teachers went above and beyond to support her, and she's excited to pass that support forward in her own classroom.
"If you cannot be around anybody, you need just some time, some space, in a safe space. That's what I want my room to be," she said.
Now, they're looking for volunteer mentors to join her in keeping kids on the right path.
"You don't have to have a degree, or be president of a company, but we want someone that will be consistent and be a caring adult in a child's life," Fitzgerald said.
To support the new chapter in Laurens County, you can donate to the nonprofit, sign up to volunteer as a mentor, or sign up to volunteer in a smaller role by visiting their website, or reaching out to Communities In Schools.
They hope to expand to more schools across the county soon.