Group seeks to improve literacy among children who have fallen behind
Amy Green
Robbinsville – In Graham County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina has been in a COVID-19-induced hibernation over the past couple of years.
But that’s coming to an end.
The organization has a new Graham County program coordinator for the first time in a number of years. Amy Green is preparing to ramp up operations.
This year’s focus is literacy, with Big Brothers Big Sisters partnering with literacy councils across the region to help students who are struggling with their reading, especially following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know there are kids graduation from high school who are unable to read,” said Dorian Palmer, vice president for philanthropy, who visited The Graham Star along with Green during his tour of the 18-county region.
Not only were children struggling with their lessons during COVID-19, Big Brothers Big Sisters struggled to fulfill its mission during that time, since what is does is so intertwined with personal connections between mentors and students.
“We lost all traction,” he said.
Here are the numbers: Pre-COVID, Big Brothers Big Sisters had 650 matches in Graham County – pairings of students and volunteers.
After COVID, the number has fallen below 350.
Graham County had a “super-strong program” prior to the pandemic, Palmer said, thanks largely to Graham County Superintendent Angie Knight and her staff, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina hopes to rapidly regain momentum.
“We’re in a rebuild phase,” Palmer said.
Fundraising is important, but the organization is also looking for mentors willing to dedicate one hour per week to mentor young students, Green said. They are looking for a one-year commitment from volunteer mentors.
“We need time as much as we need money,” she said.
Mentors spend that hour each week helping elementary and middle school students catch up in their studies.
“It depends on the needs of the the child,” she said.
Green is a Graham County resident with a background in education, a perfect fit for a county program coordinator.
Busy March
March will be a busy month for the organization, when all 18 counties within its sphere will be holding a variety of fundraisers.
For Graham County, that fundraiser will be Bowling for Kids’ Sake on March 25, one of five fundraiser events spread out over four weekends in March.
Since Graham County doesn’t have its own bowling alley, the venue for the fundraiser will be at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River, 777 Casino Pkwy. in Murphy. Big Brothers Big Sisters raised more than $100,000 across Western North Carolina last year. Teams should get organized and start getting sponsors for this important fundraiser.
The theme of this year’s Bowl For Kids’ Sake – “Once Upon A Time” – reflects Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina’s commitment to improving its Littles’ reading skills. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina is enlisting literacy partners locally to make books and reading more available to Littles here at home.
Costumes are encouraged (in keeping with the “Once Upon A Time” theme, bowlers can consider their favorite book characters for inspiration).
Bowl For Kids’ Sake for Cherokee/Clay/Graham counties will be held from 9 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Saturday, March 25, Harrah’s UltraStar Multi-tainment Center in Murphy.
For details, contact Big Brothers Big Sisters Graham Program Coordinator Amy Green at graham@bbbswnc.org, or by calling (828) 216-1900.