Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
What is the value of friendship? To have someone to share fun experiences with, learn together and laugh might just be priceless. Big Brothers Big Sisters has been in the nonprofit business of friendship for 120 years.
With the start of the new school year, Amy Green, program coordinator for BBBS in Swain and Graham counties, said there’s no better time for volunteers to become Bigs and help area youth grow.
“This is a great time of year if you’re on the fence because school is starting. A lot of the matches start when school starts,” she said. “We do have a waiting list— especially in Swain, it's significant. We want to make sure these kids are getting matched and feel like they are being served and they are getting what they need.”
With the program still recovering from the hardships of the Covid pandemic, the need for volunteers is high.
“We really do need volunteers, males and females,” Green said. “It’s not only the Little who benefits from it really, it’s the same for the Big. They get as much out of it as the Little does. It’s building a friendship with a purpose. You’re going to have a lasting impact on that child’s life, and it’s fun.”
So, what is this Big and Little talk all about?
BBBS provides services to children ages six to high school graduation with a mission to “create and support mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth” by matching an adult mentor with the child.
As Green explains, “Our ultimate goal is to foster a sense of connection, community and belonging.” Many of the pairs build lasting friendships.
The matches happen in a couple of ways in Swain and Graham, with one option being site-based at a school. The Big comes into the school and visits for one hour each week to work on academic support and find ways to have fun with their Little. Activities range from reading, doing puzzles or playing with Legos together. The program also tries to match people with similar interests.
“It’s almost better to start with school based, it kind of gives you that relationship to build on,” Green said.
The second option is a community-based match where the Big and Little meet a couple of times a month for a couple of hours for activities like going to the movies, going out to eat, playing ball, or going fishing or hiking. This can be a better opportunity for younger working adults and can help children have experiences they might not otherwise.
Green said these relationships provide a positive role model for the children and helps them navigate life’s challenges and celebrate successes.
The program also has events throughout the year for those community based Bigs and Littles, where everyone gets together for activities like bowling, pool parties and such.
BBBS of Swain and Graham is also working on starting third program that would match high school students with elementary students.
“We hope to get that rolling in the next couple of months; we’re really excited about it,” Green said.
She’s been with BBBS for 2 years and said she’s always had a passion for nonprofit work that gives back to the community.
“A lot of the children are underprivileged, living in single family households, foster situations or living with grandparents,” she said, adding that it’s so powerful to see them transform and succeed.
“Seeing the success stories is really inspiring to me and everyone involved,” Green said.
It’s not just anecdotal evidence that shows the benefit of the BBBS program.
Fifty-two percent of Littles said having a Big kept them from dropping out of high school, according to a Harris Interactive Survey of adult former Littles.
BBBS of WNC 2017-2018 results from the Program Outcome Evaluation show 91% of Littles showed improved self-confidence and 59% developed new interests and hobbies. Most—82% showed improved academic performance and 76% improved classroom behavior.
Those interested in volunteering can reach out to Amy Green at (828)216-1900 or graham@bbbswnc.org. The process begins with a Big application found on the local website at bbbswnc.org and a background check.
“It’s important, and it’s a needed thing it’s making a big difference,” Green said.