Big Friends Mentoring Program

Big Friends 2023-2024 registration now open!

Big Friends is a mentoring program offered through the partnership between Mansfield Youth Services and UConn’s Office of Community Outreach. UConn students join Youth Services staff and Mansfield youth each week to participate in group and individual games, arts and crafts activities, lawn games, and more! Big Friends is offered to twenty-five (25) Mansfield Middle School students who are interested in having a college mentor.

Big Friends meets weekly during year with the exception of school closings, half-days, and UConn breaks. Big Friends is held at Mansfield Middle School on Tuesdays during afterschool programming time (2:50-4:10pm) in the cafeteria. Participants in Big Friends are able to take the afterschool late buses home.

*Because this program is run by Mansfield Youth Services, Big Friends does not count towards one of your child's afterschool club sign-ups offered through the Mansfield Middle School. However, we do ask that they not sign up for conflicting clubs that meet on Tuesdays so that they can attend consistently throughout the year*

2023-2024 Big Friends Registration Form - Fillable

If you have questions or are interested in having your child participate in Big Friends, contact Mansfield Youth Services staff:

Robin Kraemer, LCSW: KraemerR@mansfieldct.org or (860)429-3318

Kelly L. McKenney, LMSW: McKenneyKL@mansfieldct.org or (860)429-3392