Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) and Student Training and Exploration Program (STEP) Announce Partnership to Serve Students on the Eastern Shore
Together, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) and the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Student Training and Exploration Program (STEP) are joining missions to serve students on the Eastern Shore by providing one-to-one, professionally supported mentorship with access to career pathways exploration.
"We are thrilled to collaborate with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Gulf Coast to offer personalized mentoring for our STEP students. This partnership will provide invaluable support and guidance, helping our students reach their full potential and succeed in their future careers,” says Christopher Lugo, Director of Workforce and Governmental Affairs at the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce.
During the 2024-2025 school year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Gulf Coast (BBBSCGC) will partner with Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce (ESCC) to enhance STEP by providing one to one mentorship for students enrolled in the program. BBBSCGC will provide pre-match interviews and training, as well as the initial match meetings and post program support through relevant evidence-based surveys. Students and mentors (also known as a Match) will participate in monthly activities provided by ESCC from November 2024 to April 2025.
Join us to take part in this historical, one-of-a-kind program combining career exploration with professionally supported and evidence-based one-to-one mentor relationships.
Requirements for Mentors: Complete the enrollment process with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Gulf Coast and commit to 4 hours monthly at STEP activities for at least one year.
Requirements for Corporate Partners: Requirements to become a Corporate Partner are to allow employees to commit to 4 hours monthly at STEP activities for at least one year.
For more information or to apply to be a mentor email to Gale Croft gale@centralgulfbbbs.org. For more information regarding STEP email Christoper Lugo, clugo@eschamber.com.
About STEP and BBBS:
The Student Training & Exploration Program (STEP) is a four-year leadership and career pathway exploration initiative. STEP introduces 9th – 12th graders to high-demand careers in our area while connecting classwork with skills needed in the workplace. The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce works in cooperation with the Baldwin County Board of Education, local colleges, technical training facilities and local industries to bridge education with businesses on the Eastern Shore.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Gulf Coast (BBBSCGC) is the largest one-to-one mentoring organization in south Alabama and Mississippi. Our mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. We believe that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and we have committed ourselves to serving children in Alabama for over 40 years. Professional staff carefully match children with volunteer mentors in long-term, one-to-one mentoring relationships. In addition, Big Brothers Big Sisters provides child safety training and ongoing professional support to volunteers, children, and parents/guardians throughout the life of the match. Learn more at www.centralgulfbbbs.org or @centralgulfbbbs on social media.
