KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan (BBBSMI) launches Sports Buddies at the Kalamazoo Valley Community College on Feb. 11 at 1 p.m.

The kick-off event is at the final men's and women's home basketball games in the Texas Township Campus Gym, located at 6767 West O Ave. in Kalamazoo.

Meeting 1-2 times per month, Sports Buddies is a mentoring program that matches local adult volunteers with children ages 9-16, and mentoring takes place over both spectator and active sports events hosted by BBBS staff.

“Adults in our community have knowledge and experience that will benefit local youth and our youth want to learn from them,” says Amy Kuchta, CEO of BBBSMI. “Organized and recreational sports promote physical and emotional health, as well as a sense of community, and are the perfect backdrop to form and nurture a positive, empowering mentoring relationship.”

Events are typically on weekends, lasting 2-4 hours on average.

If interested, RSVP by clicking here.

This program is open to the public.

For enrollment information, visit this link.

Interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister? BBBS asks that only applicants 18 years of age and older apply. No experience is required. Volunteers should have reliable transportation and be willing to commit at least 6 months to the program.

Visit this link or contact Kori Jock ([email protected]) at 269-488-2862 for additional information.