An Opportunity to Help Kids -- One at a Time

BUDS, which stands for Building Understanding, Developing Success, is a new mentoring program being offered by Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri (CCSOMO) in the Sikeston office. The BUDS program works with volunteers ages 21 and older to mentor at-risk youth ages 9-17, within the four county area of Mississippi, New Madrid, Scott and Stoddard counties. Each youth is matched with a volunteer who lives nearby and has similar interests.

Many studies show that effective mentoring programs help at-risk youth to assertively participate in society. Having a mentor exposes the youth to a healthy relationship with an adult--something the youth may not have thought possible. Mentoring can lead to positive changes in attitude, behavior and academics and can reduce at-risk behaviors such as skipping class, dropping-out of school, teen pregnancy, substance abuse and gang involvement.

The beauty of mentoring is that the youth are not the only ones changed by the relationship; mentors feel rewarded by helping others and making a difference in the life of a young person.

There's no question that mentoring works but caring adults are needed to get involved. Be a BUD! If you can spend just two hours a week mentoring, YOU can have a meaningful influence on the life of an at-risk child.

Please call the Sikeston CCSOMO office at 573.481.0659 to inquire about the BUDS Mentoring Program, to volunteer or to refer a youth to the program.