Big Partner/Little Partner Program Receives Grant Posted on March 1st, 2011 by Marketing and Communication

The Big Partner/Little Partner program at Gustavus Adolphus College is the recipient of a Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation’s $5,000 grant. An on-court presentation of this “New Season, New Beginnings”-themed grant will occur at 7 p.m. Monday, March 7, 2011 at the Target Center when the Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks.

“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.