Local mentors received a resounding thank you from the community yesterday at City Hall as part of "Thank Your Mentor Day".

"Bermuda has answered the proverbial question 'am I my brother's keeper' with a resounding 'yes'," said Bishop Vernon Lambe, head of the First Church of God.

"That is what mentoring is all about, the pouring of ourselves into other people."

On the steps of City Hall, Premier Alex Scott and other local community leaders paid tribute to the many Bermudians who act as mentors, particularly those in the YouthNet and Big Brothers and Big Sisters mentor programmes.

"Thank Your Mentor Day" was part of a larger National Mentoring Month designed to highlight the benefits of mentors for young people.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters executive director Esmae Williams said she was happy to participate in the special day, because it celebrates the volunteer spirit that is alive and well in Bermuda.

She told TheRoyal Gazette that mentoring has always been a part of the community, but with changing times it is becoming more vital.

"Because of the times and how they have changed today we really need to emphasise the positive impact a person can have on the life of a child," said Ms Williams.

YouthNet and Big Brothers and Big Sisters are separate mentoring charities. YouthNet is school-based whereas Big Brothers and Big Sisters is community-based.

However, they decided to come together for this day.

Clare Mello, executive director of YouthNet, said: "It is our hope that Bermudians will reach out to thank or honour those individuals who encouraged and guided them, and who had a lasting impact on their lives.

"The campaign's message is that, today, too many young people do not get enough of the kind of support; mentoring programmes can help fill the gap but need more volunteers."

Ms Williams of Big Brothers and Big Sisters said she had seen first-hand the benefits of mentoring on a child.

"I know the difference it has made in their lives because I see it," she said.

"The parents will call us and tell us about the impact on their child's life."

Big Brothers and Big Sisters currently has about 90 matches and a number of children on the waiting list.

"Finding Big Brothers has always been a problem," Ms Williams said.

"Now we are having several male applicants who are coming in. We will be having our ad campaign coming out shortly where we will push for Big Brothers, but we also need Big Sisters. We are trying to reduce the number of children on the waiting list."

During her speech, Ms Williams pointed out that Premier Scott had himself been instrumental in the founding of Big Brothers and Big Sisters 25 years ago.

"He saw the changes in the family structure that were becoming the trend 25 years ago," she said. "He did more than stand on the sidelines as an observer. He did something about it and because of his actions our organisation has been going from strength to strength."

Premier Scott called the YouthNet and Big Brothers and Big Sisters mentors "unsung heroes and heroines" of the community.

"They are laying the building blocks for a stronger and better community," he said.

Directing his speech to the mentors themselves he said, "On behalf of the Government I express my proud appreciation for the positive role you are playing in our young people's lives. So often we just focus on the negative aspects that destroy our children.

"While we cannot deny that these exist, I truly believe we should celebrate those individuals, like you, who are bringing a sense of stability to a child's life.

"You are giving your time, you are sharing your skills; you are providing a listening ear, you provide a shoulder to cry on and you give comfort during times of difficulty.

"You become teachers, confidants and friends. We can never repay you for you unselfish contributions. On this day, we can only say a heartfelt thank you."

Minister of Education and Development Terry Lister talked about the role of mentors in the community.

He thanked his own mentor, his father, who celebrated his birthday on "Thank Your Mentor Day".

"During our lives, we learn from many different people," he said. "It is the mentor who unselfishly imparts their wisdom for the benefit of others.

"Mentors help others to learn important lessons that might not have been learned as well, or at all, without assistance.

"When we mentor someone, we focus all of our attention on that unique and special person."

Mr. Lister said a mentor helps to unlock the potential of the mentee through the process of nurturing potential growth.

"It is through growth that we discover our own greatness and the greatness of others," he said. "Mentors are active participants in the planting, nurturing and harvesting of unlimited human potential."

He saluted everyone who has ever accepted the "awesome responsibility" of being a mentor.

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For a feature on Big Brothers and Big Sisters, see Friday's Lifestyle section.