Our program is a supervised volunteer program designed to provide a safe space to cultivate mentor relationships consisting of a Big and Little Friend. The Friends Program of Kearney is not considered a recreation, but education for living. The goal of the program is to provide an opportunity for a rewarding relationship of trust and friendship between the Big Friend and the Little Friend.
A mentor (Big Friend) can be defined as a role model, a listening ear, an advisor, and a supporter who enhances the life and outcome of their mentee (Little Friend). In our program, the Big Friend is an adult who is there to spend time with a younger person to support their development, through friendship, guidance, and serves as a reminder or space for their Little Friend to be seen and heard.
The Big and Little Friends will be supported and encouraged to spend one hour a week doing anything related to recreation, education, or social and life skills. Mentoring can take place out in the community or at the student's school. Through these activities, the Big Friend will offer encouragement, acceptance, empathetic listening, and even provide exposure to new ideas and activities that the Little Friend may never have access to otherwise.
Activities
Our program is invested in the success of your match. We can provide you with match activity suggestions and will do what we can to accommodate any ideas you may have to facilitate activities that will match both of your interests.
We have partnerships with Kearney Area Children's Museum, KPR Tennis Center, SportsPlex, and Kearney Family YMCA, which means Big Friends can visit these locations with their Little Friend at no cost! Our office is equipped with board games, STEM activities, crafts, and books for matches to enjoy during their weekly activity.
