Big Brothers Big Sisters

Paula Smith, Development Associate for Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Butler County, was the presenter at the June 15th meeting. BBBS has been in operation for 100 years and serving the Butler County region for 25 years. She spoke about the different programs that are offered through BBBS. One is the school based program, in which a volunteer is connected with a local student and spends one of their lunch hours each week with them at their school. This could involve eating lunch, shooting basketballs, playing Connect Four, any activity that the student enjoys. The next program is the community based program. This can be an individual, a married couple or even an entire family and involves various types of activities in the local community such as visiting parks, dining out, or just spending quality time together. These matches are made based on the needs of the Little. The newest program is called Bigs in Blue. This national program connects law enforcement with Littles.

Paula brought Kim Austin with her to speak about her personal experience. Kim is currently a Big to an 8 year old. It was very warming to see the value she places on the relationship she maintains with her Little.

There are currently 58 children in Butler County waiting to be matched. Paula and Kim both expressed the importance of volunteering just an hour of time each week and the massive benefit it provides to the children.