Tom Klaassen

EVALUATING MENTORING SUCCESS: MEASURING IMPACT AND GROWTH

March 11, 2024 by Tom Klaassen Leave a Comment

Mentoring is a powerful relationship that can shape a child’s future, providing them with guidance, support, and opportunities for personal growth. However, like any meaningful endeavor, it’s crucial to assess the progress and impact of a mentoring relationship to ensure it remains effective and beneficial for both mentors and mentees. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of evaluating your match both formally and personally and offer some insights into how mentors and mentees can assess their journey together.

Completing the Programmes Provided Mentee Growth Evaluation

Many mentoring programs provide tools and resources to help mentors and mentees evaluate their progress. At Big Brothers Big Sisters we call our the Programme Outcome Evaluation or POE. These evaluations typically involve assessing specific goals and milestones annual basis. Being able to assess a mentee growth, personally, academically, emotionally and socially provides a better picture of the overall well-being of the child. From this we are able to not only collate data that goes on to support the mentee and there whānau but also the programme and its growth and positive impact.

This formal evaluation process not only helps measure the impact of the mentoring relationship but also keeps both mentors and mentees accountable. It allows you to celebrate successes, identify areas that need improvement, and make necessary adjustments to ensure the mentorship remains productive.

Going to Your Supervision

For many mentoring programs, mentors have access to supervision and support from program coordinators or experienced mentors. BBBS provides some of the most in depth and consistant supervision for our mentors, mentees and caregivers. This is an invaluable resource for both mentors and mentees. If you’re facing challenges or have questions about your mentoring relationship, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from your supervisor.

Supervision provides a safe space to discuss concerns, share successes, and receive advice on how to navigate difficulties. Experienced mentors can offer insights based on their own journeys, helping you find solutions and strategies to enhance the mentoring experience. We do not expect you to know everything and sometimes you may not get it perfect but that why we are here. To provide professional perspectives and give you the support required to develop and grow your mentor relationship.

Speaking Up When Things Get Difficult

Mentoring relationships, like any human interaction, can encounter rough patches. As a mentor or mentee, it’s essential to recognize when things aren’t going smoothly and address these issues. Open and honest communication is key.

If you’re a mentor and notice that your mentee seems disengaged or uninterested, don’t be afraid to ask them how they’re feeling and if there’s anything you can do differently. As a mentor your role is to support, and lead by example. Sometimes the most impactful moments come from the way you react or participate within your mentoring relationship.

In the end, evaluating the success of a mentoring relationship is not just a formality; it’s a critical aspect of ensuring the mentorship remains meaningful and impactful. Completing formal evaluations, seeking supervision, and addressing challenges as they arise can help mentors and mentees maximize the growth and benefits of their partnership.

Remember, the goal of mentoring is not just to start a relationship but to nurture it and watch it thrive over time, benefiting both mentor and mentee alike.

NURTURING FUTURES: HOW BUSINESSES EMPOWER CHILDREN THROUGH MENTORSHIP

March 11, 2024 by Tom Klaassen Leave a Comment

In a world full of endless possibilities, the seeds of greatness lie within every child’s heart and mind. Yet, to blossom they need nourishment, guidance, and support. That’s where the magic of mentorship comes into play. As businesses embrace the profound impact of mentorship in shaping young lives, they are becoming the architects of brighter futures, fostering a generation of empowered and inspired individuals. From the boardroom to the classroom, this is the tale of businesses coming together to light up the path towards a better tomorrow for the leaders of the future – our children.

We spoke with Aaron Dempsey from Grammar Electrical, a family business serving the Auckland region for over 70 years, who have embarked on a journey to support the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). Investing in a brighter future for both the community and their own industry. For Grammar Electrical, the commitment to nurturing young talent and contributing positively to society was deeply ingrained in their values.

Inspiring Young Minds through Mentorship; Grammar Electrical recognized that inspiring young individuals to explore careers in the electrical services trade was vital for the sustained excellence of their services. This dedication to the future workforce led them to collaborate with organisations like BBBS, where the well-being and successful futures of young people take centre stage.

In alignment with their values, Grammar Electrical found that BBBS was providing hope and transformation for countless young people through invaluable supported mentoring relationships. This collaboration not only resonated with their vision for the community but also offered their electricians the opportunity to grow as mentors and role models. By participating in the BBBS program, Grammar Electrical’s team became catalysts for life-changing relationships with the young participants.

The partnership between Grammar Electrical and BBBS found its foundation in shared values. Grammar Electrical’s commitment to delivering quality services and fostering a strong team culture aligned seamlessly with BBBS’s mission to empower young minds through mentorship. Through their own work nurturing young talent interested in the electrical trades, Grammar Electrical was not only fulfilling their industry’s needs but also contributing to the broader community.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the partnership was the tangible impact it had on both BBBS and its young people. In April 2023, Grammar Electrical initiated a campaign in which they pledged to donate $20 from every service call made by their electricians to BBBS. Through this promotion and the community’s enthusiastic response, nearly $5000.00 was raised and donated to BBBS. This contribution assisted BBBS in expanding its reach, delivering essential services, and training new mentors to support the youth.

A Message to Fellow Businesses

To businesses considering involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Grammar Electrical has a clear message: “If you want to take your company beyond simply being a profit-driven enterprise to one that is a force for good in your community, we strongly encourage you to support the work of BBBS in New Zealand. The proven success and support network of BBBS in New Zealand make them an ideal partner for companies seeking to make a difference. Knowing that your support will shape the lives of young individuals is an immeasurable reward in itself.”

Nurturing futures through mentorship isn’t just about inspiring children; it’s about creating a legacy of empowered leaders, compassionate communities, and a brighter tomorrow. As Grammar Electrical and BBBS have shown, the magic of mentorship not only transforms lives but also builds a stronger and more harmonious community.

If your business wants to become involved, we have made it easy through our Matchmakers program – where businesses sponsor the cost of a ‘match’ for 12 months. The cost is $2,400 and it pays for a child’s intake, match pairing, training, whanau support, and supervision. We appreciate and support our Matchmakers through acknowledgment, promotion, activation events, and much more. Don’t hesitate to reach out us and join the Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland whanau today.

‘Big Brother’ Ben is cycling the length of New Zealand, over 3000km, in 30 days for Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland.

February 27, 2024 by Tom Klaassen Leave a Comment

Ben and his friend Alex, who is cycling for the Cancer Society, started their tour of the country on the 18th of February in Cape Reinga, and will be riding the Tour Aotearoa Brevet route. For the ride, they are fully self-supported and will be aiming to cross the finish line in Bluff within 30 days.

As they make their way down the country they will get to see 30-check-in photo points, stunning New Zealand landscapes and when their legs get tired, they will be motivated by the causes they are supporting.

When Ben and Alex cycled through Auckland he said “Sometimes the challenge is not knowing how big the hill is before we climb it, but we take it one day at a time! It’s a great practise of mindfulness & makes me think about my buddy a lot and what I can share with them about preserving when I’m back.”

Ben has chosen to ride for Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland as it is a charity close to his heart. Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland is a mentoring organisation that matches vulnerable 6 to 12 year-olds, ‘littles’, with professionally screened and supported volunteer mentors, ‘bigs’.

Having been a ‘Big Brother’ for three years in the mentoring program, Ben knows the significance of the mentoring relationships the charity provides.

He says “Supporting this cause invests in young minds, fostering confidence and creating lasting relationships. – every kilometre is worth it! “

At current, Big Brothers Big Sisters supports 50 matches, which means 50 young rangatahi are receiving life-changing mentoring. One hour a week for initially a year, their mentors make a difference to mentee’s self-confidence, sense of self-worth, reduced truancy and improved focus in school, improved relationships with family, improved emotional control and more.

However, with 40,000 of Auckland’s children facing hardship such as a lack of financial resources, educational opportunities, and family violence, more needs to be done. Big Brothers Big Sisters estimates a huge majority of this number would benefit from a mentoring relationship with a stable and caring adult.

With each match costing $2400 to support one child a year, every dollar of fundraising and sponsorship is needed to make an impact. The calculated cost of each match includes mentor recruitment, vetting and screening, professional training, and also child assessment, and matching with a young person. There are also additional costs with ongoing supervision and support for the match.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland thanks Ben for taking time off work to fundraise for their young people and making a true difference to his community and the futures of Auckland children.

If you would like to make a donation and support Ben’s fundraising efforts:

$25 supports a match with an activity out in the community.

$40 covers the intake process for a child.

$75 provides a family with social support from a professional for a month.

$150 supports a match and their whanau for an entire month.

Press Release Published: 27th February 2024