Sara Law, left, of Industrial Hygiene and Safety (HSR-5) and her little buddy enjoy lunch together on a sunny afternoon. The Lunch Buddies program, funded by the United Way, pairs adults who wish to share companionship with children in search of such companionship. A number of Laboratory employees are Lunch Buddies. Photo by Rebecca Martinez, Community Relations (CRO) Office
As an agency that benefits from United Way funding, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico has been able to make a difference in the lives of children living in Rio Arriba, Santa Fe and Los Alamos counties. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit organization that sponsors several programs to benefit children in need of companionship and guidance. Lunch Buddies is one of those programs.
Program coordinator Beaulah Sandoval will testify to the success that the Lunch Buddies program has become in the lives of elementary school children in Northern New Mexico. It is why she works tirelessly to recruit volunteers who want to find a friend in a child who needs their support.
To choose which children show a need for an adult friend, the program employs on-site coordinators at elementary schools participating in the Lunch Buddies program. The coordinators observe the children in order to refer some to the program. These children typically don't receive one-on-one contact with caring adults on a regular basis; having a Lunch Buddy can fill that void.
A child found to be in need of quality time with an adult is assigned a Lunch Buddy. The adult assigned as a Lunch Buddy will spend one or two lunch hours a week at their designated child's school just "hanging out" with their young Buddy. The main goal of the program is "to provide an adult contact that they can bond with," Sandoval said. "By [interacting] with the children, Lunch Buddies are trying to boost their self-esteem." And so far, it has been working.
Sandoval said she receives positive feedback from the children, their Lunch Buddies and school administrators. Children involved in the program have begun to show an increased interest in school, she said. Their grades have improved as well as their interaction with other children and attitude toward life.
The Lunch Buddies program is seeking volunteers that will serve as positive role models and possible inspiration for their young Buddies.
During the screening process, a background check is performed on all volunteers and an interview also is required in order to determine the character of the adult who is interested in becoming a Lunch Buddy. Although the program needs as many volunteers as possible, only those showing the ability to provide a positive influence on a child will be chosen to be Lunch Buddies, Sandoval emphasized.
When screening volunteers, "we try to select people who have high moral values," Sandoval said.
"You would not believe all the wonderful people we have had," she added.
Sandoval also seeks a diverse pool of Lunch Buddies while keeping common interests between children and mentors for healthy friendships. "We are trying to break down barriers in the community," she said.
The program does just that, as friendships blossom between a child and a Lunch Buddy. And all of those involved in the program benefit; not only are the children displaying positive changes in their lives, administrators at the schools are able to work with students more effectively, and the adults who volunteer as Lunch Buddies find that they also are experiencing a positive influence from their young friends.
"We're not sure who gains more from this, the adults or the children," Sandoval said.
Either way, Lunch Buddies is helping local communities profoundly by providing healthy new friendships between adults and children.
Sandoval attributes the success of Lunch Buddies to the generous funding the program receives and even more to the many volunteers who share their time and effort on a weekly basis to lend a helping hand. "Thank God that there are people willing to volunteer... to make a difference in a child's life," she said.