This month, BBBS celebrates two members of our “family” Sarah and Allisha! Next week, Sarah and Allisha are graduating from the Family and Human Services program, after 15 months of internship with BBBS. We are so appreciative and proud! BIG THANKS!

-The BBBS Staff Team

Allisha & Sarah, October 2011

We asked Sarah and Allisha to write a little about their experiences.

From Allisha:

It has been amazing to see each youth grow so much this year and I have felt so privileged to be a part of the experience.  Hands down my favorite part of my day is seeing youth and having them light up with excitement because I walked through the door.  I wouldn’t give that feeling up for anything. I was a bit nervous at first to go in not knowing much about the agency but once I saw the pictures on the wall and how welcoming the environment was I knew it was a place that I could see myself, make it another home to grow in and be a part of.  The  BBBS staff is what has kept me at the agency. I feel connected and committed to the work that Big Brothers Big Sister does. I think the staff and the atmosphere have been has truly made the difference.

I helped to create and implement the school based mentoring program and my hope is that it will be used in the future to provide mentors and support to even more youth in lane county. I think it is an amazing project and I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of the growth and upbringing of a new program. We can’t do anything in the agency without mentors and people that are willing to commit to the youth.

I want to make a difference. I want to give youth and opportunity to succeed and grow as well as encourage youth to discover who they are and who they want to be.  We have the ability to make a difference for so many people. I think it is amazing that I have had such a useful experience at such a young age.  I want to be a middle school counselor.  I think that working with youth that age is so valuable in helping them discover their hidden treasures and talents. I want to give everyone a safe and inclusive space to be themselves.
I can’t wait to be a mentor soon and have a youth to work with! I think that BBBS has helped me build my confidence and it has reaffirmed what it is that I want to do in life, while showing me that someday non-profit management would be an enjoyable and rewarding experience as well. It has been an amazing     privilege and an honor to have spent the last 15 months with BBBS and I wouldn’t change my experiences or what I have learned for the world. Thank you!

 -Allisha Damman, Family & Human Services, University of Oregon ‘12

From Sarah:

My name is Sarah Lott and I’m originally from the Salem-Keizer area. I will be graduating this June from the Family and Human Services department at the University of Oregon and over the past year, I have completed over 390 hours as an intern at BBBS. I originally heard about BBBS at an internship fair at the U of O and I was drawn to the agency because of the passion and enthusiasm that the staff displayed when they spoke about their work; I instantly knew that I wanted to be a part of that energy that was working towards improving our community.

When I started my internship in April of last year, I struggled to speak up for myself,  however, from day one the staff supported me to advocate for myself and to craft my own internship experience. There were definitely times when I felt pushed out of my comfort zone but that is where I grew the most. This was especially true for when I was implementing my senior project. I wasn’t sure if I would be successful however  I established eight new free and cost-reduced opportunities for BBBS mentoring pairs thanks to the encouragement I received from Bigs and BBBS staff! Now, I feel much more comfortable about advocating for myself as well as the mission of the agency. I also feel more  comfortable as a future human service professional because I received so much supervision and support when practicing my skills.

I’m not sure what the next chapter of my life holds but I hope to get a job within the human services field in order to continue serving  families in our community. This is a very broad goal, however, I feel that the BBBS staff has really invested their time and patience in my professional and personal development in order to best prepare me for this transition from textbooks to my career. I also know that regardless of what my career path may look like, I will continue to support and advocate for BBBS because I strongly believe that mentoring is the greatest investment for the future of our community.         

- Sarah Lott, Family & Human Services, University of Oregon ‘12

It’s a gorgeous sunny day in mid May… It seems that our reunion has brightened up the entire city.

We are Rachel and Rachael: a mentor team from 2001 in Eugene, OR. We were practically inseparable and were proud to be involved in all of the BBBS (formerly CPY) events as well as our own creative adventures.

It seemed that we would never lose touch, as we were committed to being friends for life. But fate had a more colorful story waiting to unfold.

“After a three month job opportunity at Mt Rainer national Park I came back to Eugene to continue studying and assumed I would resolve the mystery of the postcards that had been returned to me I had sent to Rachael. After calling a disconnected number and a then trying BBBS for any forwarding info they may have collected…I was left disappointed and heart-broken. “(Big Rachel)

“After my 8th grade year my family decided to move to Portland. I was so overwhelmed with the move that I didn’t think to contact BBBS with my information. I tried to write, call and email Rachel at all the addresses from old letters and they were all returned or disconnected.” (lil Rachael)

After ten long years of never giving up finding each other, people searching and research, two months ago, we finally found each other online.

“I had searched for Rachael about a hundred times on people searching sites, MySpace and Facebook. At least twice a year, I would do another search and this last search on Facebook for Rachael Newman in Portland OR came up golden. I’ll never forget seeing my lil Sis gorgeous and grown up from 12 to 22 in a moment…and crying my eyes out as I messaged her.” (Big Rachel )

“After having my last letter returned to me in 2002 I had nearly given up all hope of finding my mentor Rachel. My mom had tried to help me search over the years but to no avail. Never too far from my heart, Rachel had remained. One afternoon in March my prayers were answered when I opened my Facebook and found a message from her. I sat in disbelief and with tears pouring down I managed to write her back.” (lil Rachael)

Today we reunited after living ten years and over 1,000 miles apart (Portland to Los Angeles). It feels as if not a day has passed.

“When I saw Rachael again it felt like a part of my life’s purpose had to returned to me. I will always be her big sis and feel so incredibly blessed to be able to guide her through this next stage of her life. I also know that she will contribute equally to mine as she is a beautiful young woman with a bright future.” (Big Rachel)

“BBBS made the best choice for putting Rachel and I together. She’s open minded, kind hearted, optimistic and full-spirited. Sitting here today with her brings back some of the best memories I had in my life. She helped make me the woman I am today. I’ve been going through some ups and downs and now having Rachel here again causes me to consider brighter possibilities and makes me feel supported and loved.” (lil Rachael)

We both agree that our reunion could not have happened at a better time. It reminds us of the importance and fulfillment of maintaining meaningful mentor/ mentee relationships.

We literally couldn’t be happier on this sunny day in Portland.

Co-written by Rachel Sebastian (Big) and Rachael N (Little) on May 15^th, 2012

Presidential Proclamation — National Mentoring Month, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Every day, mentors help young Americans face the challenges of growing into adulthood.  By setting a positive example and sharing their time, knowledge, and experience, mentors play an essential role in preparing our Nation’s youth for a bright future.  During National Mentoring Month, we celebrate the contributions of all those who cultivate a supportive environment for the next generation, and we recommit to expanding mentorship opportunities across our country.

At school and at home, in the library and on the field, mentors lift our youth toward their goals and ambitions.  As a teacher, a relative, or a trusted friend, a mentor’s steady and dependable support can inspire a child to strive for success and instill in them the confidence to achieve their full potential.  Mentorship strengthens our American family, and by teaching enduring values like diligence and self-discipline, we make a powerful and lasting investment in our youth, our communities, and our Nation.

Across the Federal Government, we are working to ensure more young people have the opportunity to connect with a mentor.  Last January, we partnered with businesses across America to launch the Corporate Mentoring Challenge, which calls on corporations to begin or expand mentoring programs that pair children with positive role models, foster leadership skills, and put them on the path to success in school and beyond.  As part of our steadfast commitment to support our service members and their loved ones, we are funding new mentorship opportunities for children from military families.  And we are continuing to engage faith and community groups to help recruit mentors who can guide our youth in education, employment, and engaged citizenship.  For information and resources about mentoring opportunities, I encourage all Americans to visit:  www.Serve.gov/Mentor.

By lending a hand and serving as a mentor, countless individuals have empowered young Americans with the confidence, inspiration, and tools to lead rich and fulfilling lives.  This month, I encourage adults to make an investment in our Nation’s future by helping a child discover the best in themselves.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2012 as National Mentoring Month.  I call upon public officials, business and community leaders, educators, and Americans across the country to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

Mo and Brad were introduced at Brad’s middle school gym when he was 13 years old. Both Mo and Brad were apprehensive before meeting each other; Mo had raised two daughters and did not have much experience with adolescent boys while Brad, too, was nervous about being matched an older woman. Brad’s mind raced from anticipation; “Is she nice? Is she thin, fat, tall, short?” Brad had also begun to question whether or not the agency had done a sufficient background check. Looking back on this time in his life, Brad recognizes that he did not trust others easily. His mother was struggling with addiction, he had trouble fitting in at school and fought with his brother; he had no one to trust. Further, when it came time for Mo to take Brad home after their first meeting, Brad took Mo on a roundabout way to his home in order to make it difficult for her to find it in the future.

The turning point for Brad was when Mo said, “Brad, you know you can call me anytime you need to, you don’t have to wait for me to call you.” Brad knew he finally had someone to reach out to and trust. When it came to the end of their year commitment, Brad was afraid that he would lose one of the most important people in his life. However, Mo assured him that she “would remain his friend as long as he wanted the relationship to continue.” To Brad this was the final test to fully trust Mo; she was not being paid or held to a contract, but rather enjoyed being with him. Mo humbly expresses that she is “glad to have played a small part in helping him through a tough time.”

Brad now considers Mo his friend, mother and one of the biggest inspirations of his life. Mo motivates him to reach his goals and persevere.  Mo, too, has learned from Brad the importance of friendship; Mo admires that Brad “makes good friends with people of all ages wherever he goes.” As Brad considers Mo to be his mother, Mo sees Brad as family and recognizes Brad’s partner, Florenz, to be a part of their family as well.     Both Mo and Brad hope to maintain their friendship for years to come by continuing to call each other and meet once a month. This extraordinary relationship has exceeded expectations of both parties as well as the agency. Mo and Brad have overcome their initial insecurities and now physical distance, to invest time in building a lifelong, unique, and meaningful friendship.

written by Sarah Lott, FHS Senior Intern

interview conducted by Allisha Damman, FHS Senior Intern

The Oct. 5 breakfast is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lane County’s largest fundraiser of the year 

EUGENE, Ore. – Hundreds of local youth, mentors and supporters of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Lane County will attend the organization’s annual Fall Breakfast on Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at the Hilton Eugene & Conference Center, located at 66 E. Sixth Ave. in downtown Eugene.

Big Brother and BBBS board member Ben Sappington and his little brother, 12-year-old Jordin, will serve as co-MCs at the event. Together, they will give breakfast guests an insight into the close relationships that form within BBBS’ programs and the real difference those relationships make in the lives of young people in our community.

“We’re honored to work with hundreds of local youth and families, inspiring them toward personal growth opportunities and healthy relationships,” said Sari Pascoe, CEO for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lane County. “The breakfast is an excellent opportunity for us to thank our biggest supporters, highlight wonderful success stories of how mentoring has positively impacted local youth and raise funds to support our programs.”

The Fall Breakfast event is open to the public;however, attendance must be confirmed by Monday, Oct. 3. To reserve seats at the event, contact Amber Williamson at (541) 913-1087, or awilliamson@voxprpa.com.

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Lane County is a nonprofit mentoring agency serving youth in the Eugene/Springfield community. BBBS serves youth and teens, ages 6 to 17, through partnerships with Eugene/Springfield elementary schools, middle schools, social services agencies and the juvenile court system. There are currently 95 youth and teenagers in Lane County who are waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lane County, formerly known as Committed Partners for Youth, was founded in 1991 by a local mother and psychologist, Dr. Llew Albrecht, who, after struggling for many years with the challenges facing her own son and daughter, decided to offer services in the community for youth like hers. With the help of others, she made it her mission to create this unique local program in order to help other children in need. On January 1, 2009, CPY and BBBS joined forces in order to serve more youth in Lane County and today is affiliated with BBBS national and operates under the name: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lane County.

As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to provide youth and teens facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs youth (“Littles”) with screened volunteer
mentors (“Bigs”) and monitors and supports their one-to-one mentoring relationships. The organization holds itself accountable for children in the program to
achieve measurable outcomes, such as higher aspirations for their futures; greater confidence and better relationships; educational success; and avoidance
of delinquency and other risky behaviors. Most youth and teens served by Big Brothers Big Sisters are in single-parent and low-income families or households where a parent is incarcerated. Headquartered in Philadelphia with a network of about 370 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves nearly 250,000 children.

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lane County, visit www.bbbslane.org, “like” the organization on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bbbslane, or follow BBBS on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/bbbslane.

In march of 2005 I began mentoring Tyler, a shy 12 year old boy, whose father was in prison.

Tyler and I shared a great year of weekly outings and activities.  Sometimes our outing was an adventure.  Sometimes we just ran errands and talked.  At the end of our official year of mentoring, Tyler and I continued to get together.

Jay Baughman (director of  services) called me one day and asked if Tyler might enjoy going to a week long wrestling camp, he had a scholarship available.  My experience with Tyler told me he wouldn’t want to step into this unfamiliar territory.  I was surprised when he said, yes.  I think mom had offered strong encouragement.  I dropped him at the camp and my heart ached for him as I drove away.  You see, he had just realized this was the first time he’d been away from home and he sure looked forlorn standing by himself, away from the other kids.  When I picked him up a week later he was bubbling over with excited accounts of his experience.

It wasn’t all fun and games.  I hired him that summer to assist in my dry cleaning pick up and delivery business and had to fire him on day one because he didn’t show up for work.  OK, I rehired him the next day and he was on time everyday thereafter.

That fall Tyler’s mom moved her family to Glide.  A factor in her decision was eliminating gang influence that Tyler was already feeling in the Bethel schools and his neighborhood.  Right before they left I gave Tyler a packet of pre-addressed, stamped envelopes and extracted a promise that he would send me his new address and a few words to let me know how things were going.  It seemed like  good plan, but that letter just didn’t show up.  We didn’t speak until late November when I tracked down a cell number.  I was tickled to learn that Tyler had gone out for JV football and had played in every game, including two varsity games.  To top that off, he was really looking forward to joining the wrestling team (thanks to Jay).

Well, the reason I’m subjecting you to this narrative is that last Sunday I attended Tyler’s graduation from Glide High School.  He was one of fifty four graduates and I felt mighty proud of him as his name was announced and he accepted his diploma.

I was struck by the fact that a burly fellow came over to Tyler, shook his hand and said with genuine affection, “I’m really going to miss you Tyler.”  He was one of Tyler’s coaches.  He had become a mentor too.

Here’s a photo of my graduate with his mom, Laura.

Brad Boyd
Brad’s Next Day Dry Cleaning
3660 Meadow View Drive
Eugene OR 97408
(541) 607-1333

Email: brad@drycleaneugene.com
Website: www.DrycleanEugene.com

These are some examples of what a scholarship could be used for…

• Girl Scouts
• Dance Classes
• Art Classes
• Music Lessons
• Gymnastics
• Summer/Day Camps
• Kidsports or a gym membership
• Horseback Riding

To apply for a scholarship, the interested youth should send BBBS of Lane County a short statement (a few paragraphs is adequate) responding to the following questions:
1. What is the activity that you want to do?
2. Why do you want to pursue this activity?
3. What is the exact cost of this activity? (please enclose the flyer advertising the class/opportunity)

After attending the activity, you will be asked to write a short summary describing what you learned.

Please call (541)344‐0833 ext. 103 if you have any questions. To learn more about the Jane Higdon Memorial Foundation, visit their website: http:/www.janehigdonfoundation.com/

image via flickr

Altman was enthusiastic, amusing guests with narratives of mentoring and coaching which underlined the importance of youth mentor programs and the positive impact they have on communities.

Altman’s involvement in BBBS dates back to his college years when he had the opportunity to serve as a mentor to a “little brother”. The lessons he learned as a mentor have stuck with him and have proved useful in his own career as a coach in the NCAA.

President of the Board, Caroline Cummings welcomed each guest and made them feel at home. Caroline says “this is an event that brings joy to what we work for every day in this agency.” Sari Pascoe, CEO for BBBS of Lane County was pleased to see the community stepping up on behalf of youth mentoring programs; “this is one of the most moving and successful community fundraisers in which I have ever participated,” she said. Jean Vinson, Director of Leadership Giving at BBBS of Lane County, was thrilled with the dinner. “The night was an overall success, everyone raved about the evening!” she said.

Youth mentoring programs are extremely important in our community and are made possible thanks to the support of community members like you, and through fun and fantastic fundraisers like this event! To learn about the next intimate dinner with a local celebrity (June/July 2011), please contact us at (541)344-0833 ext. 105 or sari@bbbslane.org