Building blocks
This story is about the new BUILD program at Bethel University and the role that peer student mentors play.
By Beret Leone | Royal Report
Julie White had a proposal for Bethel University’s trustee board and the idea brewed inside her like a Crock-pot dinner. The words of her developmentally disabled daughter rang in her ears. “Mom, why doesn’t Bethel have a program like that?”
For Bethel’s 2015–2016 academic year, 12 students enrolled into BUILD-Bethel University Inclusive Learning and Development. They live on campus, taking classes and participating in the community. Out of the six Transition and Post-secondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Minnesota, BUILD is the first of its kind at a four-year university.
BUILD sets students up to develop independently, academically and professionally while interweaving a Christian atmosphere. With 26 peer mentors, BUILD students get matched with four Bethel students to assist with housing, socializing, academics and jobs.
“The idea is not that (mentors) are doing anything for the students,” director of the BUILD program Dawn Allen said. “But that they are there to encourage them to do as much as they can do on their own and just to provide support if it’s needed.”
Abigail Cushing sat with quiet anxiety in a circle of strangers. As a new student to the BUILD and a freshmen coming to BU, Cushing was put into a core group to help adjust to college life and to meet peers. The only familiar face she had was her roommate housing mentor and another student from BUILD. Overwhelmed, Cushing spoke only to her mentor whispering back and forth only when someone directly asked her a question.
“Everyday there are ups and downs. But I think for all BUILD mentors, we all can agree that it’s an amazing experience and you can see so much growth from day one until now.” -Molly O’Toole, sophomore
By October, Cushing ordered pasta in the Monson Dining Center with confidence, stating she wants sausage with white noodles. Cushing became a social butterfly and now talks loudly not only to her housing mentor, but to everyone she encounters.
“Everyday there are ups and downs,” sophomore social work major and housing mentor Molly O’Toole said. “But I think for all BUILD mentors, we all can agree that it’s an amazing experience and you can see so much growth from day one until now. They just love being at Bethel…It’s amazing to hear.”
O’Toole lives in Lissner Hall with five roommates four of them from BUILD. O’Toole serves basically as resident assistant, aiding with independent living, cleaning and conflict resolution. Once a week they head to Target to buy groceries to cook a meal. Each BUILD student has a specific job dealing with time management, payment, checking off a grocery list and budget alignment.
Internship mentors such as junior Ben Buchelt work with BUILD students in a job setting with internships that match up with career goals of students in the program.
Buchelt gives four tours a week alongside two BUILD students, Ben Boatman and Maggie Erickson. Prospective BUILD students are excited to see current students in action. Both Boatman and Erickson expressed an interest in people and relationships. Boatman also works as an usher for Benson Great Hall while Erickson works with admissions in the Community Life Center lobby. Next year in their final year at Bethel they will obtain off-campus internships and live independently.
“My favorite part is having those relationships with them.” Buchelt said. “Seeing them in the hallways, they’re always super happy to see you. It’s just cool. I wish more people were like that.”
Other information…
- 12 students in the BUILD program
- 26 peer mentors
- Out of the six Transition and Post-secondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Minnesota, BUILD is the first of its kind at a four-year university.
- The BUILD program is accepting applications for 2016–2017 peer mentors. They will have an information stand in Brushaber Commons Nov. 30th.
- 3 of the 4 positions are paid. Housing, Internship and Academic majors are paid. Social mentors are volunteers.
