BROOKINGS – It is well known that the Brookings community pours so much support and dedication into South Dakota State athletics. Women's basketball student-athletes Myah Selland, Paiton Burckhard, Tylee Irwin and Addison Hirschman enjoy giving back to the community with their involvement in the Brookings County Youth Mentoring Program.
"During my time at SDSU, I've personally experienced the love and support that the Brookings community has to offer," said Selland. "Through the incredible organization of BCYMP, I am grateful to be a small of what makes this community so special."
The Brookings County Youth Mentoring Program (BCYMP) provides trained youth mentors for K-12 students in Brookings County in order to change lives through positive developmental relationships.
The program was developed to ensure that all youth have the guidance and support of a caring, stable adult. Volunteer BCYMP Mentors express care, challenge growth and expand possibilities for the youth we serve.
"Being a mentor is an outlet for myself. Not only do I feel like I am a role model to them, but it makes me have a greater appreciation for the little things," Burckhard said. "I'm getting a relationship out of it too, like a younger sibling almost, so it's just another outlet for me outside of basketball."
"I think it's important for these kids to have role models to look up to. I think having an outlet for them to be themselves and to be held accountable is important," said Irwin. "I feel like I'm giving back to someone who cares about me just as much as I do about them. I may only be affecting one person but to these kids it can make a big difference in their lives."
Volunteer mentors spend one hour a week for a minimum of one year building relationships that provide support challenge growth and expand possibilities for the mentees. Burckhard explained that it's not just during the school year, but all throughout the year.
"We go out to eat, go for ice cream, go to the art museum, the pool or movies. Sometimes we do crafts or color," said Hirschman.
Both the mentors and mentees get as much out of the program as they put into it. Hirschman explained that BCYMP is a long term commitment to their mentees and the relationships built will carry on even after her time at South Dakota State.
"I think companionship is really important," Hirschman said. "They need someone to lean on and be there for them. They teach us while we are teaching them."
In addition to the four women's basketball players, nine additional SDSU student-athletes are involved with BCYMP: Karlee Manding (soccer), Marisa Schulz (soccer), Kendra Conard (softball), Emma Hardin (softball), Taylor Compton (softball), Olivia Pfeifer (softball), Leticia Mendes (swimming and diving), Lance Eide (football) and Turner Blasius (football).
There are more than 200 volunteer mentors that are either currently matched, waiting to be matched or in training. BCYMP is always seeking more volunteer mentors who would like to assist youth in the community that would benefit from the involvement and influence of a caring, stable adult. For more information on BCYM, visit BCYMentoring.org.
"I became a mentor in hopes to make a difference in a child's life and while I hope that is true, I know the relationship my mentee and I have developed has made more of an impact on my life," Selland said. "I've loved being a mentor and I look forward to seeing my mentee every week."
BCYMP mentors and mentees will be attending the women's basketball game against North Dakota State tonight.
