We’re thrilled to celebrate the recent graduation of our Build-A-Match (BAM) mentees and mentors! BAM is designed to introduce youth in foster care to mentoring at a younger age (under 14) to help them build resilience and experience the power of positive relationships. Over the span of six weeks, mentees at the Walker Home in Needham, MA, partnered with their mentors to engage in a variety of interactive workshops and hands-on projects. They worked together, exchanged ideas, and developed a strong sense of trust and collaboration.
During a recent BAM session, matches worked together to construct catapults—a STEM activity that encouraged both creativity and teamwork, while also providing space for meaningful conversation. “The mentees are excited to discuss and compare their catapults with one another and other matches,” says SLM Program Coordinator Christelle Joseph. “It’s such a great moment to see them be kids, have fun, and express their creativity.”
BAM workshops and activities help set the foundation for each match, preparing them to continue in our Community-Based Mentoring program. Now that these matches have graduated from BAM, they will continue meeting regularly, building on the strong connections they’ve started – and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes them!
Mentor Sarah had this advice for new mentors:
“I have only been a mentor for about six weeks now, but if I had to give any piece of advice for a new mentor it would be this: Listen. Listen to your mentee because I promise you they are listening to you as well.”
The dedication and commitment of our mentors are key to the success of BAM. Each mentor contributes at least 8 hours per month for a minimum of one year, supporting young people impacted by foster care. What’s truly remarkable is that mentors often share how they gain so much more than they give and often note that the experience deepens their own sense of purpose and connection along the way.
Interested in learning more about mentoring a young person in foster care? Check out the Become a Mentor page and explore options for attending an upcoming volunteer info session.
