Big Brothers Big Sisters partnering with JCPS for new mentorship program in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville nonprofit partnered with Jefferson County Public Schools to launch a new mentorship program.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana launched a group mentoring program at Hudson Middle School, the first JCPS middle school to open in Louisville's West end since 1932.

The group mentoring program is facilitated by Black Male EDquity Network with the support of Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors. The mentors help students identify their strengths, take pride in their self-identity and help them realize their potential.

“Seeing the excitement on the faces of the students at Hudson during the first couple of days was truly a special moment for our agency and all those involved because the impact of this mentoring program will last a lifetime," Gary Friedman, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, said in a news release. "Launching group mentoring and partnering with BMEN, fits into our agency’s vision and plan of taking important evidence-based programming such as this into many more middle schools throughout the ten counties we serve."

The program launched Jan. 23 as 28 students have enrolled in the program. It will go until the end of the year.

"As we continue to identify different ways to engage our young people and volunteers in our communities through the power of mentorship, we’re all incredibly excited to see the short- and long-term impact of this program," Amber Yocum, group mentoring coordinator, said in a news release.

For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, click here. For information about becoming a big brother or sister, click here.

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