As an empty-nester, Alicia Eckert has found a new way to support youth now that her children have moved into adulthood.
A career coach at West Michigan Works!, Eckert volunteers as a mentor with
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan (BBBS). For the past year, she has been paired with a high school student, forming a connection that provides guidance, encouragement, and stability during a critical time in the teen’s life.
“I see promise in some of these young kids in high school. They genuinely care about others, and there’s empathy and acceptance,” Eckert says. “It gives me hope.”
Eckert is part of
Big Pride, a subset of the BBBS program that matches mentors with students exploring their identities as LGBTQ+. For her, the experience has been just as enriching as it has been for her mentee.
“As soon as we see each other, we’re engaged the whole time. None of us look at our phones. Eye contact never stops,” she says.
Her role extends beyond just listening. She mentors the student in navigating challenges, from college planning to personal struggles.
“My Little asked me, ‘What would you have done if you were me?’ That kind of trust is huge,” she says.
Students express their needs
The BBBS program at Allegan High School began in response to a critical need. Afton Darsow, a mentor relationship specialist for BBBS of Kalamazoo-based Southwest Michigan who oversees the program, recalls how it all started.
“Following COVID, our CEO had a good connection with then-vice principal Laura Feffer at Allegan High School,” Darsow explains. “They talked about building a partnership to see if there was a need for mentors in the Allegan community.”
The response was immediate. Feffer, now the principal at Allegan’s L.E. White Middle School, conducted a survey asking students if they’d be interested in having a mentor. The results were overwhelming.
“Kids wanted and needed mentors,” Darsow says.
That realization sparked action.
“It lit a fire under us and Ms. Feffer. We needed to figure out how to get these high schoolers Bigs,” she says.
Since its launch in 2022, the program has steadily grown.
“We’ve started eight matches, and every year, we get a couple more, depending on how many adults volunteer,” says Darsow.
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Courtesy of the Big Brothers Big Sisters"Big" high school students are paired with "Little" elementary school students in a mentorship program.
Unlike traditional mentoring programs that take place off-campus, the model used in Allegan, called Bigs in Schools, is site-based. Mentors meet with students at school during the day, making it easier for working professionals to participate.
“We typically say they meet for 30 to 60 minutes every other week. It’s not too heavy of a lift for the adults, and many can tie it into their workday,” says Darsow.
Several local businesses and institutions, including Perrigo and Allegan County government, have encouraged employees to participate.
“We’ve had Bigs who are able to take 30 to 45 minutes out of their workday to visit with a high schooler,” says Darsow.
Feffer says Big Brothers Big Sisters has been willing to adjust to meet the evolving needs of the community.
“Over a decade ago, the program began as a Bigs and Business model centered on Perrigo, Allegan's largest employer. Post-pandemic, we saw a need to expand to other local businesses and have our Bigs meet students right at the school building. BBBS is innovative in its thinking and always willing to do what is best for kids."
Modeling character
Feffer says she has seen how the mentoring program has helped students to feel valued and heard.
“I can recall one student in particular who often felt overshadowed by the struggles she and her family were facing in regard to her sister. When I brought her in to explain what the program was all about, I ended by saying, ‘Might you be in need of some time that is simply all about you?’ And she started to cry — but they were not sad tears.
“This Little lights up every time her Big enters the building. She is reminded that she matters."
Melanie Cassar, principal at Allegan High School, says when students feel connected and understood, it creates a ripple effect.
“Mentors model qualities that we think are so important for the development of character,” she says. “They make their Littles feel valued by modeling respect and empathy; they make their Littles feel heard by modeling active listening; and they model stick-to-itiveness as they share their own experiences of perseverance. All of this helps students feel a sense of belonging and encourages them to mimic these qualities for others.
“The more support that our students have, the likelier they are to achieve personal success. All kids can benefit from having someone in their corner who believes in their potential and is rooting them on every step of the way.”
BBBS actively recruits mentors through community events, including informal gatherings at Tantrick Brewing, where adults can learn about the program in a relaxed setting.
“Tantrick has been super supportive, hosting us and allowing attendees to get a drink and a meal while we talk about how easy it can be to mentor students,” says Darsow.
The program takes great care in pairing students with the right mentors.
“What we do at Big Brothers Big Sisters is intentional matching,” Darsow explains. “We interview everyone on the back end, so we’re not going to pair two people who have nothing in common.”
More mentors needed
The impact of these mentorships is profound.
“A lot of the Littles appreciate having an outlet, someone who’s not family or a teacher to talk to and help with goals,” says Darsow.
One student, with the help of their mentor, applied for a scholarship and won it.
“That opened doors for her to apply for even more scholarships,” Darsow shares.
Hearing firsthand experiences from mentors can be life-changing for students.
“When high schoolers hear about their Big’s journey through college and career, it can give them options they hadn’t considered before,” she says.
For Eckert, her mentee knows one thing for certain: they have someone in their corner.
Her commitment extends beyond scheduled meetings.
“I’m supported in the work environment to do this volunteer work. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to do it,” she says. “And honestly, I get as much out of it as my Little.”
Despite its success, the program faces an ongoing challenge: finding enough mentors to meet demand.
“We had over 40 students express interest in the initial survey, which is amazing, but we can only match as many Bigs as we get,” says Darsow. “If we get 10 adults, we’ll find 10 kids to match.”
Feffer also sees the need for more volunteers. “It is really tough to see so many student names sitting on a spreadsheet saying they are interested in having a Big and not being able to come through for them,” she says.
No regrets from mentors
Darsow understands that time commitment is a major concern for potential mentors.
“The hardest thing with adults is finding what makes it worth it to volunteer their time. Everyone feels busy, but the feedback I get from Bigs is outstanding. Many tell me they wish they’d done it sooner,” Darsow says.
Cassar agrees. “Getting involved will make a difference in the lives of these adolescents. Your time is an investment that will yield large rewards.”
Eckert offers a simple message to anyone considering mentorship:
“If you’re thinking about it, walk through the door and do it. You won’t regret it.”
Allegan’s program was the first in the area to bring adult mentors into the high school setting, but BBBS has also launched variations in nearby communities.
“In Portage, Schoolcraft, and Plainwell, it’s a little different. High schoolers are the Bigs, mentoring elementary school students, which is super fun,” says Darsow.
Regardless of the model, the goal remains the same: to provide young people with meaningful relationships that help them navigate school, career, and life.
For Darsow, the most rewarding part of her job is seeing the long-term impact of mentorship.
“The relationships usually have a lot of longevity because we ensure they have something to connect over,” she says.
Eckert has seen it firsthand.
“My Little just needs someone to listen,” she says. “I appreciate their worldview. They can be extremely creative. I think when given the right opportunity, they just need to know they have a voice.”