TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend is one of many local non-profits that is feeling the impact of COVID-19.
The organization pairing children with volunteer mentors says 300 of their volunteers are college students.
Many of those students have been told to stay home for at least the next couple of weeks.
In the meantime, BBBS is offering telecommunication visits to make sure that the mentors and mentees can stay in contact.
"So we've never encompassed that before," said Alvin Striplin, CEO of BBS of Big Bend. "But now we are. We're urging if you don't feel well or if you're apprehensive about meeting with your little, or a community based big, you can do it by phone. Do it by facetime. Visit with your little and talk to them through all kinds of communication. In fact, that's how our kids prefer to communicate. So use that method now. As opposed to not seeing or not communicating with your little at all."
Big Brothers and Big Sisters has to track volunteer hours in order to maintain funding.
They're in contact with state agencies to find out what kind of allowances can be given during the pandemic.
