The Big Brothers/Big Sisters program that once operated from the Butler Family YMCA used a one-to-one mentoring program with the county youth who signed up, but that model was eliminated when the Reach and Rise program took its place about four years ago.

Now, Jessica Burr, Reach and Rise clinical director, said one-on-one mentoring has returned to the program, meaning youth in Reach and Rise have the availability of both group and one-to-one attention.

Burr said group mentoring, in which a youth participates in an activity with an adult Reach and Rise mentor, is great for members who would benefit from exposure to other children experiencing the same feelings or issues they are facing.

“They can learn to be a part of a group and maybe even a leader,” she said of group activities.

The one-to-one program was used almost exclusively by Reach and Rise’s predecessor at the YMCA, Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Burr said because interacting with youth individually can have a significant impact on the youth in her program, the one-to-one model was initiated the first week of May.

She said mentors can work with youth on their individual goals, planning, job readiness, being part of a community and other issues.

The one-to-one program can also mimic the goal of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, which is the youth’s exposure to appropriate behavior in the adult or even seeing the mentor as a sort of parental figure.

Unlike the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, all youth in the Reach and Rise program will remain on-site at the YMCA on North Washington Street.

“If they want to swim, take a class, do crafts, or work on homework, they are able to do that at the YMCA,” Burr said.

Reach and Rise is a proven mentoring program that started in San Francisco 30 years ago.

“The executive director wanted something more evidence-based (than Big Brothers/Big Sisters) with therapeutic mentoring so children could learn skills like making friends and managing their emotions,” Burr said.

Reach and Rise serves youth ages six to 17, and helps those enrolled deal with issues like conflict management, problem solving, social skills, making friends, dealing with bullies and others concerns.

Group activities might be art projects, playing sports or games, or crafts.

“While we are doing that, we are teaching the children the skills they need,” Burr said.

Youth are referred by parents, counselors, schools, therapists or anyone who feels Reach and Rise would benefit their young people.

Burr said many participants are struggling with living in a disadvantaged area, single-parent home, having an incarcerated parent or school issues.

“They just kind of need an additional support in their lives,” she said.

Many children in the program, Burr said, struggle with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression or extreme shyness.

“Kids are really struggling with social skills right now,” Burr said. “Kids have gotten so used to talking to people virtually. It’s been a real struggle to get them to feel comfortable in a group.

“They have to get out of their comfort zone and build their confidence.”

Burr said 22 trained mentors lead the one-to-one and group activities. The latter sees two adult mentors managing six to eight children.

Reach and Rise lasts 14 to 16 weeks each spring and fall and eight weeks in the summer.

There are 15 youths currently participating in the spring cycle of Reach and Rise at the YMCA.

Many youths in Reach and Rise, which is free, come from Broad Street Elementary School, which collaborates with the program.

Burr said Reach and Rise has provided real results among the youth who participate.

“We’ve had parents say their children are better able to manage their emotions, are doing better in school, and their relationships at home have improved,” she said.

Bethany Kennedy, of Butler, said her 13-year-old daughter has participated in Reach and Rise since February to deal with her social and emotional issues.

Kennedy described her daughter as a kid who does not fit the stereotypical image of a young teenager, and that she finds it hard to be herself around other children.

“I’m hoping she learns self-confidence, coping skills and communication skills with both adults and her peers,” Kennedy said.

She said at times, her daughter will surprise her with something she learned at Reach and Rise, like saying, “I learned it’s OK to ask for help,” when she needs assistance.

Since beginning Reach and Rise, Kennedy has noticed an improvement in communication skills.

“I can have a discussion with her,” she said. “It’s really neat to see those skills she learned at Reach and Rise being implemented at home and in her everyday life.”

She encourages any parents whose children might benefit from the program, even in the slightest, to sign them up for Reach and Rise.

“If any parents who are not sure about it or don’t know if it would benefit their kid, I would say sign them up,” Kennedy said.

Reach and Rise is funded through the YMCA’s annual support campaign and the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency.

For more information, visit bcfymca.org.