Become a Big Sister/Mentor

I know it’s hard living in this day and age and how mean and cuel and kids can be and how they classify everyone to their own litltle groups or whaever. Conformity. I just wish to show someone there are good friends out there … and there is hope. I want to be a big sister. For anyone in the 60134 area

I AM A 51 YEAR OLD FEMALE. I AM VERY INTERESTED IN BECOMING A BIG SISTER/MENTOR. I HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE, LOVE AND TIME TO OFFER. I AM A PUBLISHED AUTHOR, LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY AND ENJOY DESIGNING T-SHIRTS AND OTHER THINGS ON MY COMPUTER.

i would love to give a helping hand to a sister or a brother,i love all kinds of kids.i am good with kids.those kids who dont have a sister or a brother to lean on,they are the one who seems to get into trouble.i love the outdoors,and i want to give a helping hand to a sister or a brother,i am here for them.so please e-mail me back,joannjessie@yahoo.com my name is joann kirsch.

Since my job doesn’t permit me to attend meetings, i joined Icouldbe.org. It’s great so far!

511Amber’s update as a Big: Nothin’.

I filled out their questionare, got back to them well within the deadline, offered to help as a Big in a school pgm or as a Big outside of school. That was months ago. I’ve heard nothing since.
No “we got your entry, please stand by.” No “we are all full, but we’ll call you when we have an opening.” Not even a “sorry, but you suck, and for the love of all children, please don’t reproduce.”

Later, I sent a (I paraphrase) “hey! I’m looking forwad to helping your organization and can’t wait to have fun and act as a healthy adult role model for a girl that just needs some time and attention to realize that she can rule the world, so please call me” email follow up and got no reply.

So I’m a little disappointed. Their office is around the corner, perhaps I need to stop in, in person, and explain my experience. What if there are dozens of men and women here that take the time to apply and try to help local kids, only to get no response? Maybe there’s some inept volunteer or some antiquated process that’s messing up the system somehow… maybe they need more in-office volunteers to process the out-of-office volunteers?

Whatever the issue, even if they find that they are full up on adults to help, it’s not a good practice to drop the ball when it comes to potential future assets, be they donors of time or money. (Or both.)

Alright, now I’m fired up. I’ll take some action this week and let you know how it comes out. :D

And really, she still has alot going for her, with or without a baby. She’s a very smart and resourceful girl.

Now that the initial shock has passed, I am ready to be helpful and supportive to her. No matter how much it shocked me, it’s an even bigger adjustment for her. She has been calling me more often, and I’m glad I can help her in her time of need.

She just told me today. I have such mixed feelings right now. Of course I am happy for her, she’s excited. Having a baby is sort of a rite of passage in her family and peer group. And of course it will be fun to buy baby clothes and take pictures…

But somehow I can’t help but feel a little like a failure—I know that’s extreme. (This is nothing! I just saw a documentary made by a former Big Brother about his now-grown little, fresh out of prison and facing a new sex offense charge.) I mean, tons of women have babies in their teens and still manage to live happy and productive lives. It’s not the end of the world.

But the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program touts reduced stats for drug abuse, gang involvement, school dropouts and early parenting as its goals and successes. Thank god she’s not in a gang or on drugs!

She says she’s still going to finish high school and she’s still going to college, but the outstate college she had chosen is now out of the question. (Since she’ll need her mom’s help with childcare.)

Okay! I’ve gotten the call-back email, selected a program, with any luck I’ll be a Big in no time!

There’s a great setup here where I can visit my Little at school, once a week during the workday and hang out. This rocks! I can still be fully committed to my Little and the school year’s program, even if I change jobs. I can have the job chaos all worked out by school supplies shoppin’ time in the fall. :D

If you have an interest in helping, but can’t commit to a year, your local BB/BS has other programs that won’t require a full year. They can always use volunteers and have special 1-day events that can always use a hand. :D

I have already had the interview and sent in my driving records. The only thing I haven’t gotten around to is sending them my insurance card…I teach and we aren’t allowed to fax stuff…I’ve had the opportunity to drop by, but I just haven’t done it…

Today I finally got a call with a Match! I had been waiting for this since soo long. She is a 12 year old and I was told she is very close to her family, and makes great grades in school and has no behavior problems. I have not met with her yet. But I am filled with certain thoughts. I was wanting to connect with a child who was much younger, maladjusted, or needed help in someway, so I can get a chance guiding them. Apparently, my match wants a Big Sis just to go out and have fun. Can someone throw some light on whether this is the “purpose” of being a Big? I wanted to “make a difference” and although I am very excited, I don’t believe this is going to be a “challenge” to me in anyway, if you know what I mean?