New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“I have been a “Big Sister” to Leann since August of 2012. Becoming a “Big Sister” has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience that has had a positive effect on my life.
To me, being a “Big Sister” means that you make a commitment to a child to be a part of their life, to offer support and encouragement when needed, a listening ear, a helping hand, and participating in lots of fun and exciting experiences.
I became drawn to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program after living in Philadelphia for a semester and becoming involved in community activities there. I realized that the need for positive role models exists everywhere for all children, not just in big cities, but also in the Greater New Bedford area. Upon returning home to this area, I was determined to take part in this program.
The experience of being a “Big Sister” has affected me positively in many ways. I love being able to watch my “Little Sister” grow up. It is exciting to watch her learn new things, like memorizing her multiplication tables, remembering the state capitals, and succeeding academically, to extracurricular activities, like learning how to play the recorder this year in school.
It is also rewarding to watch her grow as an individual, including seeing her develop into a polite, sweet, generous, and appreciative young person. Being a “Big Sister” has taught me to look at situations from a different perspective and to realize that something an adult might find to be simple is of huge importance to a child. It has taught me that time is what is important to a child, not how much you spend or where you go. It has taught me to appreciate the “little”things in life and how important they truly are, like collecting sea shells on the beach, spending time at the playground, or just being together.
Leann and I enjoy many special moments together, as informal as baking cookies at my house to having the opportunity to attend Mentoring Night at Fenway Park and winning tickets to attend a Jonas Brothers concert, which was her first concert. The most special moment Leann and I have had together was making our wooden memory box. We painted it together and decorated the inside and outside. Inside, we put all of our pictures, special memories, and mementos from things we have done together, including ticket stubs, programs, sea shells, and drawings. Leann has said that she wants to keep the box forever and always remember the memories we have made.
One of the most special moments for me was when Leann asked me if we would still get to spend time together when she’s “all grown up.” This made me feel that I was a positive part of her life. Being a “Big Sister” is one of the best decisions I have made and I truly believe that being a mentor strengthens both Leann and me.”
There are currently a dozen girls and 0ver 70 boys on the waiting list for a Big. Can you spare 5 hours a month to make a positive impact in your community? Click the banner below to find out more.
