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Published: August 25, 2010
Spending an afternoon a week with an underprivileged youth could mean the difference between that child having low self-esteem or having a strong sense of self-confidence.
There are many children and teens ages six to 16 in Merritt who could benefit from having an adult mentor, and now the chance to make this happen has arrived.
The Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Kamloops has recently expanded into smaller neighbouring communities, and is actively seeking fun, outgoing adults to get involved.
Spending some time doing fun activities with a kid who could use an older buddy in his or her life, adult volunteers can have fun sharing some of their leisure time in a number of ways.
“It’s hanging out,” said RCMP Const. Tracy Dunsmore. “They can go fishing, bowling, hiking, go to a movie, play video games; there’s all kinds of things that they can do.”
So far, there are already a handful of adults who have signed up to be a “Big,” as adult volunteers are called.
The “Littles” will be matched with their adult friends as soon as possible.
Big Brothers are paired up with boys and Big Sisters are paired up with girls, and the youth usually come from a single-parent home.
The parent and child are interviewed to see what kind of “Big” they would most benefit from spending time with.
Making sure the pair has similar interests is an important part of the matching process, said Dunsmore.
The first step for interested adults age 18 or older to become a Big Brother or Sister is to fill out an application form, available at the Community Policing Office (CPO) on Quilchena Ave
A background check, including criminal record check will be necessary, as well as an interview with a coordinator in Kamloops.
Dunsmore said she does not think there will be a problem finding children and teens in Merritt who will want to be matched with whatever number of adults sign up to volunteer.
“Just from my daughter’s school, I can think of a few kids who it would be really good for.”
There is a significant number of impoverished youth in the Merritt area, said Dunsmore, as well as a high number of single parents and students dropping out of school between Grades 8 and 10.
Having a “Big” in their lives can help a “Little” have a positive role model to help them out simply by listening to them, respecting them, and being a friend.
“We thought it was important to have a program like that in Merritt,” said Dunsmore.
“I was a Big Sister when I was in university, so I love the program and I think it would really, really help Merritt.”
For more information, call the CPO at 250-378-3955, or drop in to apply.
More information can also be found through the Big Brothers and Big Sisters website:
www.bbbskamloops.ca, or call 250-374-6134.
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