Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland is reporting an increased demand for service through 2021.

Kelly Leach, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Eastern NL, says the demand is the highest she’s seen in her more than 20 years with the organization, reporting a 102 per cent increase in demand for the program.

She says more than 150 children are currently waiting to be enrolled.

As the program looks to increase volunteer and mentorship numbers, they launched a Between Generations Mentoring Program, designed for those over the age of 55 and looking to give back to their community.

Leach says this generation has a wealth of knowledge and experience to pass on. It can be a retiree, or somebody who is working so long as they’re passionate about giving back to the community.

She says the organization often hears from people who feel once they hit a certain age, they must be “too old” to become a mentor. Through this program, however, that isn’t the case.

Mentors are able to choose either community-based or in-school mentorship, whatever best fits their lifestyle.

She says the program has produced “amazing results” thus far.