A New BIG Partnership

St. Cloud Area School District 742 is excited to announce a new partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Granite Partners. Coined BIG Partners, (Big Brothers Big Sisters, ISD 742 and Granite Partners) the highly focused mentoring program fosters resilience and encourages intentional collaboration across experiences, strengthening educational, college and career opportunities for students facing barriers.

The idea for this partnership came from District 742’s Equity Director Ayan Omar.

“Hudda Ibrahim [local Somali author] put together an equity conversations event,” describes Omar. “She invited business partners, educators, just about anyone in St. Cloud. It was the second month in my new role as equity director. We were [broken out and] put in rooms, and the one person I noticed was Shelly Kopel who’s in Granite Partners.”

Kopel stood out to Omar because she spoke about how businesspeople should be more involved with the education of students. She particularly pointed out what’s happening in industries, which careers are disappearing and what new careers are emerging.

“It was [in] that moment that I realized how interdependent the business world is with the education world,” reflects Omar. “It also reminded me that I felt … education and the well-being of students is the burden of the education system. … I was reminded that they [businesses] depend on us to provide for them in the workforce. … Shortly after, I reached out to her saying, ‘I have a great idea.'”

Kopel and Omar met over coffee. Omar described her idea of a partnership that would be an “active, intentional and purposeful mentorship” for students. Business colleagues would be directly involved in the education system. Omar also shared how, as a teacher, every four years she would “adopt” five students of color who she saw had academic success and potential in their freshmen year.

“I took it upon myself to mentor them purposefully and intentionally with things such as resumes, college essays and tours, financial aid, and I would do follow-up calls for them on their college applications,” shares Omar. “I would connect with their families … celebrate birthdays. I would follow them through their first year of college, and it worked.”

Kopel was on board. Omar, knowing that Big Brothers Big Sisters already uses a similar model with their BIGS on Campus program for younger students, reached out to pitch the idea. The non-profit didn’t hesitate to join.

Before they knew it, they had 13 high school juniors to pilot the program. Kopel found 13 mentors to pair with those students. Big Brothers Big Sisters used their pairing survey for BIGS on Campus to match the mentors and students together.

All 26 of them just recently met for the first time.

“I naturally thought it would be awkward. You know high school kids who are [in the] social media era, they won’t talk to anyone or have much to say,” says Omar. “I was in awe at how well the survey worked because instantly there was laughter in the room. Kids were talking. Shelly and I looked at each other like, ‘It looks like they’ve known each other their whole lives.'”

Omar felt the matching was seamless and natural.

The program in its pilot year has specifically planned events outside the scheduled meetings like field trips to Microbiologics and DeZurik’s as well as guest speakers. There will be a celebration at the end of the school year.

Omar is grateful to Granite Partners. They are providing the financial backing to take care of transportation needs and more. Omar hopes to expand the program to include more area employers who want to be involved more in the community, in equity work and in mentorship with students.

“I couldn’t be happier,” smiles Omar. “Here is Shelly and Granite Partners taking a chance on a not even a one-year-old equity director. But the vision is pretty clear and it’s pretty exciting!”

The formation of this new BIG partnership is giving a new meaning to “it takes a village.” Education, business and non-profit have come together to better the community and ensure the next generation of students is ready for the world post-graduation.