By JOHN HANRATTY,
the Georgian
One of the many organizations making a vital contribution to community life in Stephenville is Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bay St. George.
While the agency hasn't been around as long as the town itself, it has been extremely active since 1984. Glenn Young has been executive director for the past 15 years, and he has had contact with a lot of people and groups in the community since that time.
"I've seen the kids grow up. I've seen the differences Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers have made in people's lives," says Mr. Young.
"It doesn't matter whether it's one hour a week, or 50 hours a week. In my eyes, the impact is equally the same. I've seen the smiles... when someone outside of their family gives them a little attention. I have 15 years of 'feel good' stories about them."
Mr. Young says one of his organization's slogans is: Making A Difference That Lasts A Lifetime, and he has seen that come true many times.
"We have a child who was matched at age 5 and another at age 6. Twelve years later, they are still involved, though not quite as much. But the contacts are still there."
Jeff, 27, is a former Little Brother who has a child of his own now. But he still maintains contact with his Big Brother who says: "I didn't think I would ever have so much of an effect on a child. I was awestruck by how great a relationship we have."
Over the years, the organization has innovated and adapted with the times. There are now 'Big Couples' who volunteer jointly rather than as individuals. There is 'cross-gender matching' where a Big Sister might be matched with a Little Brother, or vice-versa.
Here, as elsewhere, there has been a long-time shortage of volunteers wishing to be Big Brothers or Big Sisters. There are always many more Little Kids waiting than there are Big Brothers or Sisters available. One of the ways the organization deals with that is to offer a regular program of activities for kids that is very important.
It's for all kids, including those waiting to be matched. The activities range from sliding to swimming, bowling, etc. There's a weekly after-school program, if a child needs help on projects, research, etc. This way, the kids get exposure to positive role models even if they don't have a Big Brother or Big Sister of their own.
Many adults in the community say their time is limited, so this makes it difficult for them to volunteer. Big Brothers/Big Sisters are trying to deal with this concern in a practical way. They have come up with an In-School Mentoring program. Instead of the usual three hours a week, this involves just one hour.
The adult goes into the school and spends time with the child there. It could be lunchtime, or a time during the regular school schedule. The student and mentor could go to the library, computer lab, or the gym.
This is available for Grades 3, 4, 5. It is especially designed for kids who are not reaching their full potential, who have self-esteem issues.
Parents who have their own children in school would be ideal candidates for this. In fact, even working parents could do it, with the corporate donation of employees' time.
"We're launching a public relations program on this, trying to get employers onside," says Mr. Young.
The Big Brothers/Big Sisters executive director has met a lot of wonderful people over the years, but one name stands out in a special way.
"In reflecting on 15 years with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Claude Estoppey comes to mind. He was our very first Big Brother. He was unique. He kept going, supporting us and a lot of organizations."
In memory of Mr. Estoppey, the local group has named its annual summer camps after him.
"We take the kids out for two days. For a lot of these kids, that's their summer vacation. It's one weekend away from home, swimming, playing games and so on. It's an important part of our annual activities. I look forward to it, and so do the kids.... Two weeks later, they're asking: 'When do we go to camp again?'"
Mr. Young says the camping experiences are great, with lots of good humour and fun.
"The kids have been just great at the camps."
Besides that, there is a full range of activities throughout the summer. The agency hires a couple of students to do education and recreation. "Without this, some kids would just stay home all day without much to do."
Another new program the agency has introduced is Kids and Cops.
"In January, we had our first crack at it. It gives the 'littles' an appreciation of what peace officers are. It's a 12-13 week program with presentations on drugs, alcohol, Internet safety, police dogs, games night, how to make dream-catchers, etc. It went fantastic this year, and it will be an annual program."
Even after the young people or 'littles' grow up, the agency still helps out.
"We try to maintain contact with ex-'Littles' afterward: to help with jobs, resumes... whatever we can do."
Mr. Young says the local volunteers have been great, as there have been some "phenomenal matches".
He says there are important benefits for the volunteer.
"We focus on the child, but the volunteer gets a lot out of it as well. That's as it should be. The program doesn't work unless that happens. That's what it's all about."
All volunteers are screened, and he feels Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bay St. George is probably one of the leading organizations for this, because child safety is so important. They require four references, a certificate of conduct and a couple of interviews. He says they've been fortunate in never having had a problem with any volunteers.
Mr. Young says some people think you have to be special to be a Big Brother or a Big Sister, but this isn't the case. He says volunteering is not supposed to be a chore.
"The secret is to just include them in your life. If I happen to be going to Corner Brook anyway, why not take them along? It might not mean much to you, but it might mean a lot to a kid who has hardly ever been outside of their hometown.... It's nothing big, just spending some time with a child, including them in your life."
Mr. Young says his job carries a special kind of satisfaction with it.
"The reason I've been with the agency so long is these children and the impact they've had on me. There've been a lot of rewarding times and experiences.... Just having a parent call out of the blue and say: 'I just want to thank you for being there, for my child having a chance'."
He has had three Little Brothers myself: spending time with them going fishing, to a movie, or just riding around.
He says the agency's board of directors has also been excellent to work with, as has the community in general.
"Stephenville and Bay St. George are one of a kind, because they just keep giving. They're wonderful people: those who've participated in Bowl for Kids, the service clubs, the Lioness. In that regard, I've been blessed in all the great people I've met. That's another reason why I have stayed for so long."
In the future, he looks forward to more Big/Little matches. He's hoping for the in-school mentoring program to take off within the next year, as a means to reach more children.
"That's what it's all about, reaching as many kids as possible."
He also hopes to do a career exploration project, with job search techniques, interviews, tours of College of the North Atlantic, and the HRDC office. He'd liked to see participants join up with the odd job squad., and hopefully 'job shadow' for two weeks to get experiences of the work world, as an alternative program.
He says Big Brothers/Big Sisters will always be a part of him, in whatever capacity.
"I just want to thank everybody, and say I look forward to their continued support and our association with everyone. You can't ask for better people."
An important activity each year for the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters is their summer camp (2001 campers shown here). The camp has been renamed in honour of the late Claude Estoppey, the first Big Brother matched through the agency back in 1985.
Glenn Young pulls up information about his agency on the computer screen. In the background are evaluators Harry Gardiner and Betty Hitchcock who visited the organization in June 1992.
The board of directors of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bay St. George in a file photo taken in December 1989 (from left): Paula Pittman, Phyllis Cooper, Tammy Hansen, Robin Hulan, Todd White, Judy Pittman, Danny Park, president, Paul Childs, Glenn Young, executive director, Sharon Park and Barbara Cull.