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Friday, 29 August 2008 |
By KATIE YANTIS
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — The Big Brothers and Big Sisters program is gearing up for a busy season of activities this fall.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters works within four main programs. Two of the biggest ones are the one-on-one and after-school programs.
During the one-on-one program the volunteer and the little sibling get together and do activities.
“They get together a couple of times a month, we would like for it to be a little bit more, but we know schedules get busy, and schedules don’t match up,” Executive Director Joan McPheron said.
As part of the one-on-one program, volunteers go through an application process and a home visit. They are then matched with a child through a match support specialist.
There are currently a list of children waiting for a match, but Big Brother and Big Sisters employee Mary-Beth Homan said the volunteers come in waves.
“I make a match to make a relationship, not just to have all the children matched,” Homan said.
On Sept. 11, there will be a volunteer orientation for the one-on-one program.
“We have seven people showing interest right now, so we thought we would have them all together,” Homan said.
Homan said the children come to Big Brothers and Big Sisters through many different paths, but there is always a need for volunteers.
The other main program organization administers is the after school program.
The program will start the week of Sept. 29. The after school program has locations at Coldwater, St. Marys, Celina, Wapakoneta, Fort Recovery and Van Wert.
High school juniors and seniors are matched with elementary students, typically second to fifth grade.
During the after school program they run on various themes as well as celebrating holidays.
“We have been letting them (the kids) help plan, giving them ownership of the program,” After school coordinator Nancy Eberle said.
The after school program usually ranges 100 matches a year and is currently recruiting for the program. Each year the program goes over, certain topics, but makes a new curriculum every year.
“We try to change the programs every year, I cover the same topics in different styles,” Eberle said.
Some of the programs that will be returning this year include a science experiment day and a beach party. During the program they also work on homework, have a snack and make time for physical activity along with the scheduled programs.
“All the schools seem to be very open and accommodating to the program,” Eberle said.
As for the program as a whole, there are many things scheduled up until the new year. The program just had its annual golf tournament fundraiser in July.
“It did really well, we had about 20 teams,” McPheron said. “We had a couple of celebrities and Ohio State people. It was nice weather — it was good.”
The administration sat down for a meeting this week to discuss fundraisers and other events coming up.
“We actually just sat down to talk about and set a date for the Bowl for Kids Sake fundraiser which is our largest fundraiser,” McPheron said.
The Bowl for Kids Sake fundraiser will take place in March.
One event that McPheron is attempting to get on the schedule for the kids is a St. Marys Beautification Day, where children would got out and help clean the canal and surrounding areas.
“That’ll get our kids out doing community service, with their bigs, learning to give back to the community they live in,” McPheron said. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 03 September 2008 )
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