Big Brothers Big Sisters of Elkhart County, in partnership with Goshen Middle School and Amigo Centre announce the E3 End of Year Celebration on May 30, 2014 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at Goshen Middle School. This interactive event is open to the public to attend and learn more about the program as well as celebrate the 6^th grade boys who have completed their first year in the program.

“As the Coordinator of Outdoor/Environmental Education at Amigo Centre the past 12 years, I’ve worked with a lot of students who don’t excel in the classroom, yet thrive in the outdoor setting,” stated Cheryl Mast. “The desire is to offer a program that utilizes the draw of the outdoors, connects youth with mentors and empowers young people to become leaders in their community.”

This is the inaugural year for the collaborative E3 Amigo program that targets boys between 6-8^th grade. Paired with mentors, each student learns applicable life skills throughout the school year and attends a 3 day camp experiences in the summer.

 “This is a really special partnership between our agency, Amigo Centre and Goshen Middle Schools that has resulted in a unique opportunity for the boys,” stated Stephanie Patka, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “By providing mentors for each boy, the lessons that they learn through the program are reinforced by positive adult role models in their lives.”

The Celebration presentation will include interactive demonstrations by the boys on the skills that they have learned over the course of the past year including snacks prepared by the students, bird feeders construction, bicycle maintenance and more. 

Recruitment for mentors to participate with the incoming class of 6^th grade boys has begun. Interested community individuals should contact the Big Brothers Big Sisters office at 574.875.1039 or info@bbbselkhart.org.