Each month during the 2010-11 season, the foundation focuses on a specific area of giving and featured events and the awarding of two $5,000 grants to organizations that best fit the theme and mission of the foundation. The Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation provides and supports hands-on programs that positively impact Minnesota youth. Through giving, education, and basketball opportunities, the foundation enables young people to make responsible decisions, contribute to their future, and experience lifelong memories.
“The Big Partner/Little Partner program at Gustavus has a rich tradition spanning more than two decades and it has become an important, mutually beneficial program for the community and for the College,” says Gustavus’s Dave Newell ’03, assistant director for community-based service and learning. “This grant will help provide access to all,” Newell says, explaining that often Big Partner volunteers and Little Partner mentee families have to pay out of pocket expenses for some of the monthly activities.
Today the program has 190 pairs, where Gustavus student Big Partners are matched up to mentor local children. Founded on and continued as an identified community need, the program initially served about 25 pairs.
- To encourage growth in understanding of self and increase social skills through reflection, activities, and programs; and
- To foster compassionate and affirmative relationships through mentoring activities and programs and reflection.
To accomplish these goals, BP/LP provides programming that affords an opportunity for participants to learn and reinforce social skills through a positive, fun, and safe environment. BP/LP provides youth with experiences they feel comfortable with, and through which they are able to experience personal growth and build self-confidence. This program assists volunteers in the development of important skills and tools that will prove valuable long after their education at Gustavus is complete.
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