The month of January, though coming to a close, is annually observed as National Mentoring Month to celebrate mentors and the positive impact these relationships have on young lives. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands, a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay organization, is the only one-to-one youth mentoring organization serving Cape Cod and the Islands.

While the agency is making a real difference in the lives of more than 300 youth by providing them with an invested and caring adult mentor, there is continuously a need for more mentors. Right now, there are more than 85 children on the waiting list hoping for a Big Brother or Big Sister.

Sign up to become a Big here!

These kids, all deserving and eager to be paired with a mentor, patiently wait to be matched with a someone that is carefully selected for them based on similar interests, availability, and geographical location. One Little-to-be in particular has waited longer than most—solely because of the lack of available mentors in the area where he lives.

Meet Zach

Zach is ten years old and lives in Bourne, but a lack of male volunteers in the area have left him on the waiting list for more than a year. Living with his mom and sisters, he’d love to experience more activities that suit his interests, particularly those that his sisters don’t enjoy doing. Most of all, Zach is looking to have “a guy in his life that he can relate to!”

Zach is shy at first but the right mentor can help bring him out of his shell. He’s an easygoing kid who loves to play outside — an ideal Big Brother would take him to the park, play sports with him and even take him bowling. Zach would also like a mentor who he can relax with and talk about school, play video games and find other things the pair has in common. Zach loves the beach and spending time near the water in the summer.

There are many other kids like Zach throughout the Cape and Islands still waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands offers a variety of programs (school and community-based) for Bigs to participate in based on what will work best for their schedule. Volunteer must commit to 4-8 hours per month for a minimum of one year.

If you are interested in learning more about how to become a mentor or would like to enroll a child, please call or visit 508-771-5150, www.bbbscci.org. Please consider sharing Zach’s story to help him and other kids on the waiting list find a Big Brother or Big Sister.

Article originally posted by Cape Cod Today.