Local Organizations Collaborate as “BIG Partners”

Big Partners Group Photo 2022

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, Independent School District 742, and Granite Partners are excited to announce the pilot launch of BIG Partners, a program that strengthens educational, college, and career opportunities for students facing barriers. The highly focused mentoring program fosters resilience and encourages intentional collaboration across experiences.

Inspired by thought leader and mentor Ayan Omar, Director of Equity for St. Cloud Area Schools, and structured as an extension of the Big Brothers Big Sisters model, the program aims to provide deep, 1-on-1 mentoring of select high school juniors by professionals from Granite Partners and local Granite Companies, including DeZURIK, GeoComm, Microbiologics, and Rotochopper.

The program’s name – BIG Partners – is an acronym for the three collaborating organizations, each bringing what it knows best and recognizing an alignment in mission. Big Brothers Big Sisters brings youth mentoring and program development expertise from a long history of community-based mentoring. ISD 742’s equity office brings relationships with local high school students and a focus on addressing disparities and creating opportunities for student success. Granite Partners brings mentors with educational and career experience from their business community.

The pilot cohort will welcome 13 students from Tech and Apollo high schools into 1-on-1 mentoring partnerships during the school year. Throughout the program students will have opportunities to:

  • Explore paths to technical and community colleges, 4-year educational institutions, military service, and apprenticeships
  • Visit local businesses and hear from area business leaders
  • Develop key career readiness skills and learn about local career paths and employment opportunities
  • Network with business and educational leaders to build connections and support

Shelly Bauerly Kopel, Partner with Granite Partners, said, “When Ayan first shared her story with me, I found her work inspirational. For several years she has been mentoring high school students 1-on-1 and having a significant impact. Through BIG Partners, we see the opportunity to scale her vision, collaborating to expand the excellent work she had already started.”

Ayan Omar sees strong benefits from a community collaboration that spans the education, nonprofit, and private sectors. She said, “We have many students with creativity and aptitude – the challenge is in pointing them toward available opportunities and helping them effectively navigate. To have business walking alongside education is just a great way to support students as they transition from high school.”

With mentoring as the backbone of the program, Big Brothers Big Sisters is a great source of expertise. “We are excited to be a part of this innovative collaboration,” said Ann Matvick, Program Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota. “With the support of partners like ISD 742 and Granite Partners, we can inspire a meaningful, lifelong impact on young people while strengthening our community.”

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