Mirrors Programme Urgently Seeking Volunteers
The Mirrors Programme is urgently seeking volunteers from across the community to assist with the 12th cohort of its Community Programme, which is scheduled to begin in September.
“Aimed at at-risk males and females between the ages of 15 and 19, the Community Programme to date has assisted over 1350 young people in working through hurdles in their lives which have prevented them from being the best versions of themselves,” a spokesperson said.
Programme Coordinator Kimberley Jackson, who has run the Mirrors’ Programme for the last ten years stressed the importance of community involvement: “The only way which the programme can be efficiently sustained is through volunteers in the community. We have over 140 volunteer positions available and have only 20 filled at this time.
“There are three different volunteer teams: enrolment, on site, or committed partner, which are nine-week, nine-day and nine-month commitments. Intensive training for all three volunteer positions is mandatory. There are no exceptions.”
Ms Jackson described the programme’s biggest barrier for entry for volunteers: “For every five people we speak to regarding the possibility of volunteering with Mirrors, four tell us that they do not have enough time.
“I think they have a misconception of what is required; the time given pales in comparison to the positive results a young person can garner. The youth are our tomorrow. I would like to think that we would want to do all we can to ensure that they are nurtured into healthy adults who are desirous of being productive citizens.
“I am inviting anyone in the community who wishes to attend a volunteer orientation session to call us at 294-9291. They are held each Wednesday in the Mirrors’ boardroom, located on the first floor of Global House on Church Street.
“If you have a group of people who are considering volunteering with our programme, we can also come to you to give a presentation. We are keen to reach our goal and will do whatever it takes to attain it—all for the benefit of the youth of Bermuda.”
The Minister of Social Development and Sports Sylvan Richards said, “I would like to echo Mirrors’ urgent call for volunteers.
“The Mirrors Community Programme has been vital in providing support to those young people in our community who need it most; to help them find purpose and set achievable goals which make them feel good about themselves and what they have to offer our community.
“Please, if you have the desire to give back to our community and help our young people succeed, please volunteer for this programme.”
Is this programme effective and if so how?
What is the ratio of paid staff to volunteers and why is that ratio important? To be told only 20 slots have been filled of the 140 required gives one pause.
In the ten years this has run how much has it spent on these services?
How are they following the 1350 young people it has served and what are the metrics used to evaluate the impact on these young people’s lives? What impact has this programme had on the 1400 volunteers required over the past ten years (140 volunteers times ten years)?
How does this service to our youth compare to the work of Youthnet, Big Brothers and Sisters, Spirit of Bermuda and sports initiatives like Beyond Rugby?
It is difficult to make a decision of how to use your precious volunteer time when there is so much not disclosed in this cry for help.
Although I don’t agree with how your comment was constructed, I do think it is an important point to disclose the progress of the program and reflect on how the program has impacted our community.
I’m all for giving back but let me ask this: where are the parents? I sensed a tone in this article, one that tells potential volunteers to step up, make the time committment. “For every five people we speak to regarding the possibility of volunteering with Mirrors, four tell us that they do not have enough time.” Maybe they are busy raising their own children and working to put food on the table. If you are going to ask for volunteers to do a job someone else should be doing, don’t take a tone in your request.
Just a suggestion.
I would love to volunteer my time, but I cannot commit to a week. Now a weekend is something I can commit to.