Sheridan BBBS Announces First Business Mentoring Partership

Cindi Williams, Amber Stones and Sandy Thiel

Sandy Thiel and Cindi Williams, along with Amber Stones, announced the first Big Brothers, Big Sisters Business Mentoring Partnership with First Northern Bank of Sheridan. The bank agreed to provide employees with additional incentives such as time off work, to allow employees to give their time and mentor their ‘Little’

Amber Stones, Senior Vice President and director of marketing for the bank, talked about the new partnership:

Cindi Williams, BBBS Director of Community Engagement, said that First Northern Bank is the first business in Sheridan to become a partner with BBBS. She added that this a new way for business to help the program. “We gave out 12 applications here at the bank, and so far we have six employees who plan to mentor a youngster.”

Sandy Thiel Community Liaison for BBS, added, “This is a great opportunity for the community.”

Stones added that although the business allows employees to take paid time off the be a volunteer, most people just want to do it, they wanted to be involved,

Thiel added, “Though we have not yet finalized it with First Northern Bank, there may be other incentives offered to those who mentor. The business could do ‘Big of the Year’ or sponsor some BBBS activities. This typically has happened nationwide. It makes it more fun to be a part of the program. It gives community members more of an incentive to volunteer and First Northern Bank has a long history of volunteering the community. This is an on-going volunteer opportunity and can become long term mentoring with youngsters.”

Williams added,

Thiel added that the process can take some time, as the ‘Bigs’ and the ‘Littles’ they are mentoring are carefully matched. “We make sure their interests complement each other. We don’t want to match a really outdoorsy mentor with a youngster who wants to stay inside. We take the time necessary to make sure they are a good match.”

Williams added, “We want to do it right. I haven’t found anyone who is upset with the wait.”

Thiel said that the business partnership with First Northern Bank is their first partnership in Sheridan, but they hope to find others.

Anyone interested in a business partnership or even mentoring a youth can contact Cindi Williams at cindi@bbbswyo.org.