Finding a friend: Wareham youths seek local mentors

Across Plymouth County, Cape Cod and the Islands, there are 81 children awaiting mentorship in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program – 17 of them are in Wareham.

In an effort to connect more youths with mentors through the school year and beyond, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the Islands is running a “Waiting Little of the Month” campaign where they aim to highlight a different youth each month.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters program pairs children in need with adult mentors who can provide “caring” and “supportive” relationships, according to the organization.

Jayden, 9 of Wareham is September's waiting little of the month. He enjoys getting outside and being active, drawing, painting and playing board games.

Jayden has been on the waiting list for a Big Brother for nearly five months and his mom is hoping to find him a mentor who can help him explore new activities and interests, according to the organization.

"Our agency's most urgent need continues to be male volunteers in the Wareham/Onset and Upper Cape areas," said Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the Islands Regional Director JR Mell. "By partnering with youth and families to share their stories, it allows us to humanize the need for volunteer mentors."

For more information, or to learn more about signing up to be a Big Brother or Sister visit https://emassbigs.org/cape-cod/