The need for volunteers is at an all-time high for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Orillia and District.

David Mitchell, 69, has mentored Cruz Patchell for nearly two years.

After retiring from the financial tech industry, Mitchell decided he wanted to give back to youth in the community.

“I thought of some of the mentors I had, such as athletic coaches,” he said. “A couple of them made a big impact on me.”

He has developed a friendship with Patchell and meets with him weekly for two hours.

“It’s been rewarding mentoring Cruz and seeing some positive influence,” he said. “It’s not a one-way street, though. It’s not just me trying to be a positive influence on a young man; he can be a positive influence on me.”

Mitchell says Patchell has taught him several life lessons and keeps him up to date with what youth are doing in the community.

Patchell, 13, says Mitchell helped him train for a triathlon. They also spend lots of time together at the Orillia Public Library.

“We’ve done a lot together,” he said. “We talk and decide together what to do each week.”

Patchell, a Monsignor Lee Catholic School student, says he’s learned to improve his work ethic, thinking skills, table manners, and time management through Mitchell’s guidance.

Patchell says the BBBS program has been beneficial to his growth as a person.

“He’s also helped me to understand what other people are going through,” he said. “It’s nice having someone who I can share my ideas with.”

Mitchell has enjoyed Patchell’s companionship, and he hopes it will make him a better grandfather for when his grandchildren grow to be Patchell’s age.

“It’s been a very positive experience.”

Patchell hopes more kids will be able to be mentored through the BBBS program.

“It really helps a lot,” he said. “Dave has helped me and given me a lot of confidence.”

Haleigh Payne, the local agency’s fundraising and community development co-ordinator, says there are 40 to 50 kids on the wait list, with 38 of them being boys.

“Unfortunately, we just don’t have the male volunteers,” she said. “We are trying to reach the right people.”

She says volunteering with BBBS isn’t a major time or financial commitment.

“Everybody always thinks it’s this big life commitment,” she said. “In reality, it’s as little as two to three hours a week going to hang out with your mentee.”

Payne says youth can get a lot out of time spent with an adult mentor. She says it can be “life changing” for a child and “very impactful” for the mentor as well.

“It’s about the experiences,” she said. “A lot of the time, volunteers will just do things like go for walks, go for ice cream, or things like that.”

Those who are interested in volunteering should email Payne at volunteer@bbbsorillia.ca. More information about the program can be found here.