High School Volunteer Mentors make a Big Impact on area youth.

The picture shows High School volunteer Big Buddy, Holli Hammaker, from Ansonia, helping her little Buddy Alyssa York, daughter of Sarah Fitzgerald from Greenville, work on her homework at an after school session at Woodland Heights. This sessions topic was about the positive characteristic of being thankful. During each session the children are taught a word that promotes character building; Such as thankfulness, respect, responsibility, conflict resolution, resourcefulness, and many more. These positive characteristics are also incorporated into an activity and craft that corresponds with the word. Peer sharing and group activities are a big part of the after school programming provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters. “The high school big buddy mentors in our after school programs are such wonderful assets to these children’s lives. It is so positive to see their faces light up when they see their big buddy arrive for the session. The impact this program has on the kids is a true blessing” reports Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director, Jennifer Bruns

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby and Darke County is nearing the end of our after school programming for the 2013-2014 academic year. The Buddies program is a nine-month commitment where high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors volunteer to work with and mentor elementary aged children two times per month. During these meetings the high school students, under the supervision of Big Brothers Big Sisters staff, work with one or two children on different educational and recreational activities. The program continues to promote social and educational enhancing activities, as well as personal safety.

In addition to our after-school program the agency has 87 community-based matches throughout Shelby and Darke County. These matches meet with each other twice a month for outings which are planned around the volunteers own schedule. The goal of the community-based program is to match a local child with an adult mentor, who can serve as a positive role model, and expose the child to enhancing and uplifting activities. Currently the agency has 20 children waiting for a Big Brother or Sister in the program, so now is the time to think about how you could put a little sparkle into the life of a child! If you are interested in becoming a mentor in our community-based program, please call 547-9622 or 492-7611 for more information.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County is a United Way member agency and an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The Buddies program is partially funded by the Ruther and Emerson Booher Committee advised fund & The Versailles Foundation Fund for Versailles as well as The Vectren Foundation Fund.

If you would like more information about how to become a volunteer, you may visit the agency web site at www.bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org or call the Sidney office at (937)492-7611 or the Greenville office at (937)547-9622.