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Big Buddy seeks $80,000 in 2026 support to sustain mentoring and middle‑school programs
Summary
Big Buddy told council its mentoring and Lehi Up (MiWay) workforce programs served hundreds of youth and requested $80,000 (ARP interest earnings) to continue 1‑on‑1 mentoring and holiday/middle‑school programming in 2026, while acknowledging a gap for the mayor’s summer workforce program.
Big Buddy, a Baton Rouge‑based mentoring organization, presented its mission and a request to the council for $80,000 to support mentoring matches and middle‑school programming in 2026.
The presenter said Big Buddy serves approximately 500 youth per day across programs and 1,400 youth annually; the organization described one‑on‑one mentoring, extended‑learning after‑school and its Mayor’s youth workforce experience (MiWay/Lehi Up). Big Buddy said 47% of some program dollars flow directly back to youth stipends and that partnerships with BRCC, Employ BR and the Chamber helped leverage funding for last year’s expansions.
Big Buddy reported it ran a MiWay workforce program supporting roughly 300 youth last season at an average cost of about $3,097 per youth after partnerships and stipends. The $80,000 requested for 2026, the presenter said, would maintain 1‑on‑1 matches at Glen Oaks and North Dale and fund transportation, mentor stipends, supplies and holiday camp programming, but would not fully cover the cost of the summer workforce program, which organizers said requires additional fundraising and partner support.
Council members praised the program’s outcomes and asked administration staff to review funding options; the presenter said the $80,000 funding in the proposed budget is in ARP interest earnings and that the organization will continue fundraising efforts.
