Proving Value Of Mentoring Key To New Appointment

Big Brothers Big Sisters press release

Proving Value Of Mentoring Key To New Appointment

Community agencies must prove value says Big Brothers Big Sisters in making new appointment

16 September 2009. Christchurch. - A desire to prove the value of their mentoring programmes is behind the appointment of former US-based Amelia Paini, says the Christchurch arm of the international organisation Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS).

"Proving value is critical in this day and age, and Amelia's evaluation experience with BBBS in the USA will help us put in place a credible measurement programme to understand more about the impact mentoring has on young people," says the organisation's manager Matthew Button.

"It is reflection on what BBBS has achieved in New Zealand that we have been able to attract someone of Amelia's calibre."

Amelia joins BBBS after arriving in New Zealand earlier this year.

Previously she worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lawrence in Massachusetts, helping coordinate mentoring programmes and run evaluation programmes.

A graduate of New York's Columbia University, Amelia has previously worked in Italy teaching English as a second language and served as a member of AmeriCorps, a US-based version of the PeaceCorps.

ABOUT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS CHRISTCHURCH

Big Brothers Big Sisters matches adult mentors - all of whom are volunteers - with a suitable child (typically aged between 8-13 years), who they meet with for one hour each week. Part of a national and international network, Big Brothers Big Sisters currently supports over 80 mentoring relationships Aorangi School, Manning Intermediate, Phillipstown School, Linwood Intermediate, Shirley Intermediate, Casebrook Intermediate, Rowley School and Cobham Intermediate.

Funding locally is provided by Christchurch City Council, Wayne Francis Trust, Canterbury Community Trust, Lottery Grants, COGS, Child Health Services, The Blogg Charitable Trust.

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