|
During my time with BBBS I mentored two littles and the last little I had has become part of our family. She is now 31 and lives in Vancouver although she comes to see us often, we are still very close. Even my children think of her as another sibling.
We spend most holidays and special family events together. Saranna has become like another daughter to us and we will always be close. I will never regret becoming involved with BBBS.
|
|
As a child, the greatest influence in my life, was my "Big Brother," Cris.
I struggled to make friends in elementary school, so my mom registered me with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Victoria: they matched me with Cris.
Cris became a very important person in my life and we still keep in touch to this day. It was him that gave me the confidence to become involved in sports and taught me the importance of believing in myself.
In 2000, I graduated from Belmost Senior Secondary School, with honors and earned a 'Top Student Award' in Comparative Civilizations. I graduated with good friends, as a Captain of the Rugby Team and with the respect of my peers.
Since graduation I have been involved with Big Brothers and Big Sisters as a guest speaker at their AGM and Annual Dinner and Auction. I have also tutored another "little" in public speaking. I always look forward to volunteering with Big Brothers as it is hard for me to imagine achieving what I have or becoming who I am without them.
|
Almost an Empty Nest
I started working in our office in November of 2009. Our office shares space with the Lacombe chapter of BBBS, so I sort of got to see what their employees were doing on a day to day basis. Before that, I had only heard of BBBS in passing.
My husband of 28+ years and I raised three children. Our youngest still lives at home when he isn't at college, so I guess our nest doesn't qualify for completely empty yet.....but it's empty enough for me to start thinking about ways to reach out to my community. When I heard about In-School Mentoring, I knew it was something I'd like to try --- and when Crsytal told me how many kids are waiting for a mentor, and how much difference it can make in those kids' lives to have one, I was sold.
I'm waiting for my match. Did my child safety training last week and had my interview. I am very much looking forward to meeting my new "little" friend!
|
In School Mentor
At the end of the 2008-2009 school year the staff advisor asked that anyone who was interested in participating in the in school mentoring team to sign there names on a list and that she would get back to us. So I did. I only heard of this program through some people who had done it during that year, and thought that I would learn more. After learning more from her, i decided that I would sign up. right now I am mentoring a grade 8 student and we are having lots of fun. We play cards, board games, draw and play sports in the gym. I like the program so much that I am going to try it again next year when I return as a super 12.
|