Paving the way
Big Brothers Big Sisters expands mentor program to college students
Ayana Bubar-Martinez, 19, was a shy, lonely child.
Hoping to help their daughter, Bubar-Martinez’s parents enrolled her in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program when she was about 8 years old.
“My parents thought it would be a great way to get me out of the house,” she said. “And help with my shyness.”
Bubar-Martinez credits the program with helping her be more open with other people, raise her grades, and acquire more professional skills.
The organization matches young girls and boys with an older individual with whom they can do activities and hopefully form a personal relationship. The traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters program ends when the child enters high school.
Giovianna Burrell, assistant manager of education programs, said the local organization, following the example of other chapters, has expanded its program to serve some high school and college students. Five years ago Big Brothers Big Sisters started Mentor 2.0, which matched high school students with a mentor, at Amy Biehl High School and South Valley Academy. This May it launched Mentor 3.0, so those same students could continue their relationship with their mentors after graduating from high school.
“When you get to college, it can be lonely,” Burrell said. “Especially at a commuter college. The program provides someone they can talk to comfortably.”
Bubar-Martinez, a freshman at Central New Mexico Community College, is one of those students who elected to participate in Mentor 3.0. During her freshman year of high school at Amy Biehl charter school, she was matched with Sara Crecca, an attorney who has built a career advocating for abused, neglected and injured children. Bubar-Martinez said she decided to participate in Mentor 3.0 because of the great connection she has with Crecca. Bubar-Martinez’s parents attended college but she said she likes having that extra support.
The two see each other at least once a month but text almost daily.
“Out of this relationship I get a lot of things,” Bubar-Martinez said. “To name a few, I get a friend, mentor, someone to call when I’m stressed, someone to ask questions to, and another person in my life to help me stay focused on school.”
Crecca was on the board at Amy Biehl when she learned the program would be coming to the school. Having been a mentor early in her career, she knew the benefits. As a college student and professional, she believed she had useful insights to offer. Crecca had an older brother and sister and her parents who had attended college, paving the way for her, offering tips and support. She wanted to do that for someone else.
Often, Crecca’s biggest jobs are being a cheerleader and an emotional guide.
“The bureaucracy of school itself can be overwhelming,” she said. “It’s hard for 18-year-olds. They have not been out in the world. They are not confident they will succeed. … Because I have experience, I can see it will be OK. When you’re that age (18), everything is an emergency.”
Bubar-Martinez is working toward an associate degree in nursing.
Young adults can participate in Mentor 3.0 until they are 25, which Burrell calls “emerging adulthood.” In addition to being matched with a mentor, participants must complete a variety of tasks tailored either to their schooling or job. They are required to text information to their mentor or Burrell about things such as when their school orientation is, how many credit hours they are taking, when they will have winter break and finals. They are also instructed to meet one of their professors during office hours as an encouragement to form relationships on campus. For those working, they have to share things like their weekly work schedule and supervisor’s name.
Burrell said often when a child reaches adulthood they are sent into the world, told good luck and expected to act like adults. But she said transforming into an adult doesn’t happen when they become 18 and happens gradually over time, which means they might need some guidance.
“There’s something to be said about someone checking in on you,” Burrell said. “Having someone just say ‘Are you OK?’”