GIRARD – Big Brothers Big Sisters is seeking seniors interested in serving as mentors to elementary-aged children as part of a new program beginning in February.

Quantia Watson, who handles match support for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Girard, has been working with SCOPE to find interested seniors to be part of the program. She said the goal is to hold intergenerational gatherings on Tuesdays, starting Feb. 13, between seniors 55 and older and children ages 5 to 9 from the STEAM Academy in Warren.

“We will have the meetings at SCOPE where activities will be held and the children and mentors can be together for activities,” Watson said.

She said the program is looking for adults with life experiences, who may have had children and maybe grandchildren, to spend time with students from the school.

‘We always want to make sure we have enough mentors for our children who can put in the time to meet with the children and spend time with them,” Watson said.

The program will be offered on the second Tuesday of each month with a special room set up inside the Warren SCOPE Center. Watson said the participating students will be picked up at the nearby STEAM Academy and brought to SCOPE to spend two hours with their adult mentor.

Mike Wilson, executive director of SCOPE, said he is excited about the program and knows many seniors will want to take part and spend time with the children.

Watson said while the plan is to start with gathering once a month, they are hoping to expand the program to two gatherings a month at SCOPE. Eventually, the mentor and child will be able to take trips to local places in the community.

“Eventually the seniors, when they have become acquainted with the child, will be able to pick them up,” she said. “We plan to always meet at SCOPE and then they can leave from here and go into the community.”

Watson said the community-based program allows her and the mentor to decide what places the mentor and child can go – such as a park, library, Dairy Queen or store.

“I know one little girl told me she wanted to ask if she could go and get something to eat,” Watson said. “We can arrange for them to go to Denny’s or IHOP.”

A grant was obtained to cover the costs of the program.

Watson said many of the children may not have grandparents and some may not even have parents but live with a relative, such as an aunt or uncle.

“For some of the children, they may have a tough situation at home so they can have a mentor who can understand and will be willing to spend time with them,” she said. “There are so many adults, especially senior citizens, who have so much to give as a role model for the children. They can help the children make good decisions.”

Watson said the goal is to get more than 20 mentors.

Applications for interested seniors are available at the front desk at SCOPE or by calling Big Brothers Big Sisters in Girard at 330-545-0002.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com