LEWISTON – The Child Health Center’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Program has announced a partnership with Bates College to offer a new mentoring program called “Cats and Cubs.”

The Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs in the community and local schools are always faced with the problem of having too many children who want mentors in their lives.

Ron Hood, Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring coordinator for the Greater Lewiston area, said, “We have the goal of wanting to generate a positive social mentoring influence on elementary-aged children of the Lewiston/Auburn area. Through “Cats and Cubs,” lasting relationships with children from Lewiston/Auburn and the surrounding Androscoggin County area are forming.”

The purpose of “Cats and Cubs” is to provide safe and healthy relationships between children and Bates students, as well as joining the community with Bates College. The “Cats and Cubs” program will meet on the Bates College campus from 3 to 5 p.m. every other Sunday.

The “Cats and Cubs” mentoring program is a part of the Child Health Center’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Program, which offers community and school-based mentoring programs that match elementary and middle school-aged children with adults or high school students. The “one-on-one” relationships help build a friendship that can positively influence academic performance, attendance and attitude toward school.

Those interested in learning more about “Cats and Cubs” or those who want more information on other mentoring programs should call the Child Health Center at 782-5437 and ask for Big Brothers Big Sisters or send an e-mail to [email protected].