BELLEFONTE — In their first proclamation of the new year, Centre County commissioners declared January 2026 as Big Brothers Big Sisters Month, shining a spotlight on local efforts to connect children facing adversity with caring adult mentors.

The national mentoring organization pairs “Littles” with volunteer “Bigs” to foster positive relationships that have lasting effects on young people’s lives. At the commissioners meeting, staff from the Centre County Youth Service Bureau, which facilitates the program locally, encouraged residents to support mentorship through volunteerism, advocacy and public awareness.

“January is National Mentoring Month, but it’s nice to have that special spotlight here in Centre County,” said Program Director Rebecca Lord, who was joined for the proclamation by her “small but mighty” team of case managers.

To illustrate how the program supports local children, Lord prompted the audience to think of someone who was there for them at a critical moment in their life.

“Can you imagine your life without their influence and presence, or how the trajectory of your life might have been altered without them?” she asked before introducing the story of Alex, a local participant whose Big made a decisive difference at a pivotal time.

As a middle schooler, Alex lost his mother suddenly in a car accident.

“In the wake of that loss, his world changed in an instant,” Lord said.

Shortly afterward, Alex was matched with a Big who helped support him through the unimaginable.

“While no one can take away the loss, the hurt of losing a parent, Alex’s Big became something irreplaceable — a safe place to land, someone who showed up, someone who listened without judgment and someone who asked questions not to fix anything, but to understand and learn,” she said.

Whether they were fishing, hiking or grabbing a slice of pizza, “he gave Alex a safe place to share memories about his mom.”

Because of that relationship, Alex began to open up.

“His Big helped him hold on to his mom’s memory and, in many ways, helped him heal.”

While mentorship sometimes involves giving advice or helping with homework, Lord said, “Mentorship is also about something much deeper. It’s about showing up week after week, simply to be there, to listen, to hold space, to believe in a young person when they might not fully believe in themselves.”

“Right now, in our own community, all across Centre County, there are children waiting for someone to show up, to listen and to believe in them,” Lord said, before urging community members to be that person for a child in their neighborhood.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is always seeking mentors to support youth in their program, particularly male volunteers and individuals in rural parts of Centre County.

Mentors, or “Bigs,” commit to spending one to two hours a week with their “Little.” While many Bigs take their Littles on fun outings — like bike rides or sporting events — that time can also be spent on everyday tasks, such as grocery shopping or walking the dog.

“You’re going to get matched with a kid who’s a good fit for you,” said Zach Maser, a case manager with the program at the Youth Service Bureau. “The reality is, all you have to do is show up. You don’t have to have a lot of money, a lot of talent or some special experience. You can have no experience working with kids, but just a desire to form a relationship and a friendship with another human being.”

Currently, between 20 and 30 youth are waiting for mentors, and many more who are not yet in the program could also benefit.

“I know it’s working when I hear a volunteer say, ‘Sometimes I feel like I’m getting more out of this than my Little,'” said Maser. “That’s really the beauty of mentoring — that it’s not just about the kids. The volunteers also grow and learn a lot about themselves and about life.”

YSB offers four information sessions each month for individuals interested in learning more about the program. Visit ccysb.com and go to the Big Brothers Big Sisters page to explore program options, review volunteer requirements or sign up for an informational session.

Commissioner Steve Dershem praised the program, saying, “What you’re doing is amazing. I think it’s changing people’s lives–in particular young people who may be at a junction in their lives when they really need a friend and some guidance.”

All three county commissioners encouraged residents to get involved and lend their support.

In other business, the commissioners:

— Approved a grant agreement between the county and the Pa. Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. The agreement is the mechanism for Centre County Drug and Alcohol to receive its federal and state funding for prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery support services. The anticipated grant total is $865,634, with $245,008 provided by the state, $620,626 from the federal government and $11,796 from the county. The agreement is for the period Jan. 1, 2026 to June 30, 2030.

— Passed a resolution granting John Franek, Jr., administrator and chief clerk, the authority to execute financial documents with not to exceed amounts on behalf of the county.

— Added a series of contracts and authorizations to next week’s consent agenda.

— Approved the standing consent agenda.