By Dr. Ferrell Miller
JC Breakfast Optimists
On July 10 Michelle Sink, Area Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, told the JC Breakfast Optimist Club members about Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Michelle stated that her “area covers the counties of Riley, Pottawatomie, Geary and some identified cities outside of those counties. Big Brothers/Big Sisters is a one-to-one mentor program in which caring adults work with youth who face adversity in their lives. Support, attending school events, spending time with and showing up for kids is important. Youth ages 5-18 are matched with an adult through a process.
To protect both the mentors (Big Brothers/Big Sisters) and the Littles (the youth) there is a process. That process for the adult includes a background check; five references who are contacted for information about the adult applicant; a matching process by a Support Specialist; a determination about the benefits of Big Brothers/Big Sisters or is there another program which would be more suitable; an intake visit with the Little and their family; an opportunity for the Big to consider three possible options for their Little and a Match Meeting, where the Big and Little meet for the first time.
Guidance is provided to the Big Brother or Sister once the match is made to assist with topics which are important to developing the relationship and the growth of the youth. Resources are also shared with the family to help them with their needs.
The money donated by the JC Breakfast Optimist Club will be used to support Big Brothers/Big Sisters and their littles in Geary County. For more information contact Michelle Sink at [email protected] or 785.422.9530.