Boys & Girls Club Blog

June 1, 2021

The Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh and Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin are excited to announce the Big Futures Mentoring Program. The collaborative effort will combine the expertise of both organizations, the Club’s Great Futures Mentoring Program with Big Brothers Big Sisters’ evidence-based mentoring program and case management expertise, to continue to match adult mentors with youth in 6^th through 8^th grade at the Boys & Girls Club.

“We are excited to collaborate with a strong agency with a like-minded mission to expand our current mentoring program, said Tracy Ogden, Boys and Girls Club of Oshkosh CEO. “This program creates a safe environment for youth to flourish, and have one on one support within the structure of the school day. At the end of the day, it’s really all about starting a friendship, providing guidance and inspiring youth. It is a win for the kids in the community”

The program will focus on helping youth grow academically and develop decision-making and life skills. Youth will meet mentors at the Club, where they will get homework help, read together, learn to cook together, and get access to all Club spaces and programs such as basic needs, mental health support, art room and active time in the gym.

“The Big Futures Mentoring Program will help us reach even more youth in the Oshkosh community,” said Jaime Kriewaldt, Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO. “Working with children facing adversity is a specialty of both Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Club, and this partnership allows both of our organizations to do what we do best: empower youth to achieve their full potential.”

This program is made possible by the Basic Needs Giving Partnership, which is supported by the U.S. Venture Fund for Basic Needs within the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, the J.J. Keller Foundation, and other community partners. The Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh and Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin would like to thank these organizations for this generous award.

Watch for more information coming in summer on how to become a new mentor for the Big Futures Mentoring Program.