Big Brothers Big Sisters-Shawano has made its first matches.
The newly formed nonprofit organization, part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Wisconsin, hopes to provide one-on-one mentoring for up to 50 youngsters ages 7 to 13 by next fall.
Idell Johnston, of Shawano, was the first person to be matched with a little sister — 8-year-old Lily Wurth, of Shawano, who attends Hillcrest Primary School.
Johnston said she was nervous prior to meeting Lily at the school two weeks ago.
“I have been involved in the Rotary exchange program, but never something like this,” said Johnston, who has now met three times with her Little Sister. “It is really rewarding.”
So far they have spent their time playing board games and participating in other activities at Hillcrest.
Johnston, 42, who works as a State Farm Insurance agent in Shawano, said having an empty nest following her two sons’ departure for college gave her time to devote to the program.
Volunteers, who are carefully screened, are required to commit to the program for a minimum of one year.
“It is very exciting to have a young woman that I can mentor,” said Johnston, who has encouraged other area residents to get involved, too. “It is overwhelming that (Littles) are open-minded about it.”
Johnston stressed the program is not designed to reduce parental roles in the children’s lives.
“It is more of providing a role model and someone to look up to,” Johnston said. “It is not replacing the parents, it is something to add to their lives.”
Lisa Wurth, Lily’s mother, said she is pleased with Johnston as her daughter’s Big.
“She is very high energy like my daughter,” Wurth said. “I am very happy with this program and how they match people up.”
Wurth said she and her husband, Dave, thought the program would provide Lily with another positive relationship.
“We felt that she needed someone outside the home to give her more confidence,” Wurth said.
Johnston credited Chris Marcks, hired by BBBS to get the Shawano program started, and Hillcrest Primary School counselor Amie Beyersdorf for providing suggestions and ideas to guide her and fellow Bigs through the process.
Marcks said the program has already attracted 15 adult volunteers.
BBBS offers both community- and site-based mentoring opportunities. Mentors must be at least 18 for the community-based program and at least 16 for the site-based program.
The Bigs in community-based matches can pick up Littles at home and spend time together in the community. They must meet at least two times per month for two to four hours each time for at least a year.
Site-based matches meet only at a designated location, such as a school, and participate in activities such as homework, reading, games, arts/crafts, sports, etc. The Bigs in this program cannot communicate with Littles via phone, mail, e-mail or social media. They meet at least an hour per week for 12 weeks.
Marcks said she recently visited Shawano Community High School to gauge interest from students regarding site-based mentorships.
“I set up two tables and about 16 high schoolers requested applications,” she said.
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