Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua MIT Students 2008/2009

Mentors in Training (MIT) is a program built around a partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua and the 21st Century Extended Day Program.  21st Century is a program that supports the creation of community learning centers that provides academic enrichment opportunities during after-school hours for children. In this environment, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua provides the training to six 5th graders (for 1-2 hours, every 4-8 weeks) who will spend a couple days after school each week working with 1st graders. They help with homework assignments, play games and overall set a great example for their younger peers. 

The benefit to the 5^th grader is that they develop team-building, leadership and mentoring skills throughout the year and are more prepared to enter middle school.  The benefit to BBBS Nashua is that they follow the development of these MIT graduates and ideally encourage them to become future “Bigs” at age 16; and naturally 21^st Century benefits by having a community of children working together and helping each other.  A true win-win!

The MIT program is being piloted at Amherst Street Elementary School and will expand to the Nashua Middle Schools and the other 21^st Century Elementary school over the next two years.