 |
|
Sarah M-F writes...
Being a Big Sister has enriched my life. I have been a Big Sister for 3 years and have had the pleasure of seeing my Little Sister grow from a quiet and shy 13 year-old, to a confident self assured young woman. I feel that being a Big Sister is the best opportunity available, because you gain so much. I do not feel that I am a volunteer; I am confident that I have received more from my Little Sister than I have given her. I have received a lifelong friend, felt tremendous joy in her accomplishments, learned from her about respect for oneself and ones values…… the list is endless.
The decision to become a Big Sister was not hard for me; I was looking to become more active in the community and wanted to be a friend to a young girl as she grew though her high school years (a difficult time in any girl’s life). I strongly feel that everyone has time available to share; especially since the time you spend with your little sis is spent doing that things that you both love to do. Granted, finding time to spend together has become more challenging as both myself and my Little Sister are juggling fuller schedules. She attends school full-time, works part time, and is involved in several extra-curricular activities. I work full-time (including frequent travel), am married, and since being matched have started a family; we are expecting our second child any day. Although at times less frequent, we always manage to find the time to spend together. For me the time spent with my Little Sister is a gift; as I always receive more than I give. J.G. has developed a wonderful Big Sister relationship and writes...'It will be 6 years in April that my little sister and I have been matched. I have watched her grow from a very young little girl to a very confident 12 year old. This has been a wonderful relationship built on trust, mutual respect and honesty. These are the values that Big Sister's instills. It took my little sister almost a year before she hugged me and then kissed me goodbye after an outing. The day she did was thrilling for me because I knew she had decided we had a special friendship and I wasn't going anywhere. It's moments like this that make being a Big Sister all worthwhile.' P.B. loves being a Big Sister and writes...
"I have been a volunteer for many organizations for many years. I believe in the mentoring process. The education classes offered by Big Sisters of London provided insight in to the program...the education and screening processes makes one realize the seriousness of the Big Sister's role. Having Big Sister House available as a place to go is reassuring. The case manager is readily available to discuss any issues/problems/questions. I became a Big Sister two years ago...
I love being the friend of a wonderful young woman. I love having fun doing things I would never otherwise do (riding a rollercoaster, watching Harry Potter movies). I love laughing and joking with a young woman who teases me back. I love teaching my Little Sister. I love when she teaches me (and she has taught me many things). I love my Little Sister's outlook on life despite many moves and changing schools - she is nearly always optimistic, outgoing, willing to try new things and friendly to everyone we meet. We can just BE together and have a great time. I love that my Little Sister says that she thinks our friendship is perfect. She can't think of anything that we should do differently. I love that I feel so happy about our relationship and time together. I love that I miss my Little Sister when we don't see eachother weekly. I love that My Little Sister says she misses me when we don't see eachother weekly".Big Sister Wilda Thomas: Wilda Thomas lives her life much like an artist paints a picture - with passion. "I love this community and am deeply committed to many causes." Always determined to find new challenges, Wilda took her community commitments one step further in 1994. "I knew I was ready. I wanted to make a difference in an individuals life." Big Sisters was her first choice.
Like most Big Sister matches, Wilda and Kim were an instant fit. "Kim had been waiting for a Big Sister for two years. That wait was hard for her, but we can joke about it now saying that's how long it took me to make up my mind to be a Big Sister".
Today they share a wide variety of interests including art, music, and a not so secret passion for chocolate fondue!
Wilda and Kim have an unspoken understanding between them. That bond comes from the little things Wilda has done for Kim like the concert she treated her to last summer. "She brought a friend, and on the way home they were giggling about the boys in the band. Out of the blue, Kim said that it had been the best day of her life. That touched me so deeply to know that such a small thing made such a big impact."
In a life filled with opportunity, Wilda counts her experience with Big Sisters as one of the most important. "So often people will say that one person's actions can't make much of a difference. I know from my Big Sister experience that simply isn't true. Kim has made an incredible difference in my life." Written by: Little Sister, Jessica L.
"I think every girl should have a Big Sister, just because the whole experience is so good for a girl’s self esteem. I’ve had a Big Sister for almost two years now and have such a close relationship in just those two years. My Big Sister, Anne will never realize how much our relationship meant to me and I will always remember her and the good experiences we’ve had. I’m sixteen and our match will soon be over but I know that even after this is done, we’ll still keep in touch. I know that when I’m a couple years older I will definitely be a Big Sister and I encourage anyone who’s even considering being one to at least try it out because sometimes, and in my case, it will be a life-long friendship". Written by: Big Sister, Jen S. When I decided to volunteer with Big Sisters of London, I was already aware of the agency's excellent reputation for fostering self-esteem in girls through mentoring. What surprised me was the comprehensive support system that made every step of becoming a volunteer a joy, from initial training to meeting my little sister and establishing our friendship. Leanna, our case manager, continues to support our friendship by being consistently available, interested, and eager to share her knowledge and experience. The result for me is a mentoring experience that is incredibly fun, richly rewarding, and beyond my expectations.
|
|
|
|
|