Somerville Resident Mentors Roxbury Youth Online

Andrew Thornton, 18, was raised by a single mother in Roxbury and is the second youngest of five brothers. Thornton met his mentor, Daniel Vatnick, as a freshman at Boston Green Academy. The duo met online – pre-pandemic – four years ago and are now planning for Thornton’s next chapter at Bunker Hill Community College to begin this fall.

Thornton was matched with Vatnick through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts (BBBSEM) Mentor 2.0 Program, a technology-enriched one-to-one youth mentoring program that targets high school students and focuses on college and career readiness. Launched in 2016, Mentor 2.0 pairs freshman with caring adult mentors who build their relationships through weekly online communication and monthly in-person meetings at three of the nonprofit’s partner Boston Public High Schools. The Mentor 2.0 platform enables matches to chat, complete lesson plans and provide additional academic, social and emotional support online to help youth reach their fullest potential offline.

“It was easy to learn and start using the Mentor 2.0 online platforms, says Thornton, who plans to major in business and transfer into a four-year program in two years. “Dan has spent hours helping me conquer math assignments and talk through topics discussed in school, like issues of race and inequality. Together, we researched colleges and he helped me through the application and scholarship process. And, now he is helping me through the challenges of the coronavirus shutdown. He is a constant support and friend to me.”

Vatnick, 27, of Somerville was one of the first adults to sign up for Mentor 2.0 as he had seen the positive impact mentors have in young lives while working at BBBSEM as a former member of the nonprofit’s enrollment and community relations team. During a career change, he appreciated the flexibility the program gives to busy adults who still want to help youth.

“Starting a mentoring relationship online can come with some challenges as you have to keep engaging with one another to help build a foundation of trust between the two of you, but once you do the sky is the limit,” says Vatnick, who now works as an Associate Product Manager at a technology start-up. “It’s been a humbling experience to watch Andrew open up, learn more about the world and grow as an individual, intellectually and physically – he’s now taller than me!”

Mentor 2.0 is a national Big Brothers Big Sisters and iMentor program targeting low-income and first-generation students to help them prepare for high school success, college matriculation and workforce readiness. BBBSEM works with Boston Green Academy in Brighton, Edward Kennedy Academy of Health Careers in Fenway and Community Academy of Science and Health in Dorchester to personalize lessons and activities that complement classroom work. All freshman at each school are automatically enrolled in the program. Freshman focus on goal setting and developing a growth mindset. Sophomores begin to explore career options and planning for the future, drafting resumes and cover letters and learning how to network. Eleventh and twelfth graders hone in on college readiness and post-secondary pathways, such as entrance exams.

The senior class at Boston Green Academy (BGA) is the first Mentor 2.0 cohort to graduate since BBBSEM started the Mentor 2.0 Program in 2016. There are more than 25 BGA participating students slated to graduate this June. Based on a prior survey of over 10,000 Mentor 2.0 students nationally, data shows that students are better prepared to face challenges after high school, whether entering college, the Armed Forces or the workforce. Mentors will remain connected to their mentees beyond graduation to continue to provide guidance during these unique and challenging times.

“Students often need additional support when transitioning into high school and moving on to college or the workforce that sometimes isn’t available to them in person,” says Wendy Foster, BBBSEM President and CEO. “Accessibility is a key component to the Mentor 2.0 program. The online curriculum is built into students’ classroom work. And, busier adults have flexibility to communicate with their mentees online, while still making an impact.”

With hundreds of youth on a wait list, there is continued need for more volunteers to step up. Think you have what it takes to become a Big? BBBSEM is now enrolling and matching Bigs and Littles virtually. For more information, register to volunteer or make a financial contribution, visit: www.emassbigs.org.