NORWICH – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chenango County will launch a pilot program in the hopes of attracting more mentors to meet the needs of youth in the community.

Starting in September, volunteers may spend time with and mentor youth participating in the program two days a month for two hours.

Mark Parsons, program director for Big Brothers Big Sisters, said the initiative is an attempt to facilitate the relationship between mentors and their young charges.

“We can provide the time, the meeting place. The things that can be taken care of, are taken care of,” Parsons said, “so they can just focus on building the relationship.”

The meetings will be held at The Place, 22 E. Main St. Youth and their mentors can participate in several activities, including board games, different sports and cooking.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has two focuses – a community and a school program. The community program for Big Brothers Big Sisters has made about 10 matches of children ages 5 to 14, but has a waiting list of kids still looking to be partnered with a mentor.