Big Brothers and Sisters Strengthened Through Retreat

ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, July 26th, 2011 – Relationships were strengthened as Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the BVI were given new tools to better equip them for their roles in the lives of their Little Brothers and Sisters during a one-day retreat hosted by the Social Development Department last Friday.

Under the theme "Let's Get Started Together: One Little at a Time", the retreat was designed to empower mentors with the skills to further develop their relationships with their assigned “little”, to the maximum potential.

Chief Social Development Officer, Mrs. Annie Malone-Frett stated, “At the end of the training it was anticipated that volunteers would, among other objectives, learn how to effectively manage the challenges of mentoring the youths in our community, and learn how to nurture and sustain the child-volunteer relationship by using available resources in the Virgin Islands.”

Facilitators for the retreat included, Dr. Doris Battiste, Associate Chancellor of the University of the Virgin Islands, Mrs. Keiyia George of RKG Solutions Consulting Group and Dr. Virginia Rubaine, Director of Community Mental Health Services.

Supervisor of Family and Children Services, Mrs. Stacie Stoutt-James urges more adults to volunteer in the programme, and explained that the Territory’s need for volunteers is now critical. “We need more individuals and especially men, to be positive role models in the lives of young males. We need men at all levels who want to make a difference in the life of a child,” she said.

Mrs. James added, “We are faced with a crisis. Many of our young men risk dropping out or being expelled from school, getting involved in drugs and losing their sense of direction.”

Mrs. James shared more on the effects of having a positive male role model in the lives of young men. She stated, “Big Brothers can guide and help them to make healthier choices which will change their lives and make our community stronger. One-to-one mentoring also reduces violence and truancy, and improves relationships with their peers and families”.

The Social Development Department shared that the challenges faced by many young men vary from having a single parent home to living with relatives; or living in a home with many children, but only one boy; or associating with bad company or falling into negative patterns at school. Mrs. James stated, “What they all share in common is the need for friendship with a caring adult.”

Chief Social Development Officer Mrs. Annie Malone Frett affirms that the department understands the importance of community-based mentoring for children in fostering supportive and lasting relationships with older persons, and it urgently seeks to expand the Big Brother/Big Sister programme.

Mrs. Malone-Frett stated, “The department is committed to the success of this programme and to garnering public support and involvement in the programme.”

For easy enrolment and more information on the Big Brother/Big Sister Mentorship Programme, individuals may visit the website at www.bvibbbs.org. or contact the Social Development Department at telephone 494-3431.

The Social Development Department of the Ministry of Health and Social Development is the lead agency charged with promoting the social well-being of the Territory's residents.

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