Big Partner Little Partner
Big Partner/Little Partner (BPLP) is a mentorship program that pairs Gustavus students with youth from St. Peter and the surrounding communities to foster friendship and personal growth. The program started in 1963 and is still going strong! Big Partner/Little Partner pairs meet 3-4 times per month for about an hour. These meeting times are determined by the schedule of the Big Partner (Gustie) and the Little Partner (youth). Monthly events organized by the program coordinators bring together the whole group for fun activities and social-emotional skill building.
Mission
To build stronger ties between the St. Peter Community and Gustavus Adolphus College by having the leaders of today mentor the leaders of tomorrow through a one-on-one relationship.
How to Apply
Gustavus Students: Big Partner applications are due the last week of September, depending on the year. Applications are available for pick-up in the Center for Community-Based Service Learning.
Community Members: Little Partner applications are due the second to last week of September, depending on the year. Applications are available at the Center for Community-Based Service Learning on Gustavus Adolphus College's campus or at the following school's office:
- St. Peter Middle School
- North Elementary
- South Elementary
- John Ireland Elementary
- St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran School
Application Links
- Returning Big Partners Sign up here! Sign ups will begin in September - be sure to sign up then!
- New Big Partners Apply here to be a Big Partner! - Sign ups will begin in September - be sure to sign up then!
- Little Partners (Kindergarten through 4th Grade) Applications for 2018-2019 will be sent out in September!
- Middle Partners (5th - 8th Grades) Applications for 2018-2019 will be sent out in September!
Find Us on Social Media
Track Service Hours and Find Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Click the image below to view Big Partner Little Partner's Gustavus Engage page, where you can track your service hours and search for upcoming volunteer opportunities.
| Name | Role | Gustavus Email Address |
|---|---|---|
| Kaitlin Hanson | Lead Coordinator | khanso11@gustavus.edu |
| Ella Napton | Parent Coordinator | enapton@gustavus.edu |
| Carly Miller | Student Coordinator | cmille12@gustavus.edu |
| Holly Fitterer | Logistics Coordinator | hfittere@gustavus.edu |
| Angie Ramirez | ELL/CADA Coordinatorr | aramirez@gustavus.edu |
| Ehsan Ali Asghar | Public Relations Coordinator | ealiasgh@gustavus.edu |
| Nick Piram | Lead Events Coordinator | npiram@gustavus.edu |
| Thomas Fischer | Events Coordinator | tfischer@gustavus.edu |
| Paige Reiners | Events Coordinator | preiners@gustavus.edu |
| Abbie Biegner | Events Coordinator | abiegner@gustavus.edu |
| Carrlin Meier | Events Coordinator | cmeier@gustavus.edu |