Big Brothers Big Sisters to hold informational sessions

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin is seeking adults who want to help make a positive impact on the next generation of children.

Bigs help their Littles to improve their social skills, develop their sense of self-confidence, set goals for their future. and expand their world by introducing new hobbies and adventures.

It’s not just a one-way street, either.

“Bigs also have the unique opportunity to view the world through a child’s eyes, reconnect with their own sense of childlike wonder and joy and have fun while exploring their community,” said Keren Cotter, program specialist and recruitment manager.

Cotter said Bigs meet with their Littles in two ways.

Community-based Bigs meet a few times a month to expose their Little to community activities, go for walks in the park or enjoy an ice cream cone together.

Site-based Bigs meet during a Little’s lunch and recess once a week at school to read, play games, or do a craft.

Interested adults are invited to attend a 30-minute, no-pressure information session to learn more. Sessions will be held at 5 p.m. Aug. 13 and 10:30 a.m. Aug. 21, both in the downstairs Veslak Room at the Shawano Public Library, 127 S. Sawyer St., Shawano.

Big Brothers Big Sisters currently has 22 matches in Shawano County, according to Cotter.

Cassiti Shultz joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters team a couple months ago and is its first full-time staff member in Shawano County.

Kris Going has served as a Big the past seven years. She first became involved with Ellsworth, a kindergartner at Hillcrest/LEADS Primary School, where she was teaching. Ellsworth will be starting seventh grade in the fall.

“Ellsworth and I have had so many adventures together, but his favorite memories are swimming, Green Packers, Green Bay Gamblers and Green Bay Blizzards games, go-karting, Bay Beach, watching movies, attending Shawano High School musicals, playing board games and going to Shawano Sun Drop Dayz,” Going said. “A few of my highlights have been attending two Packer games together (these tickets were donated by a couple who couldn’t attend). It was the first time we both were at a Packer game, and we got to experience it together.”

They’ve also done some cooking together, especially chocolate chip cookies. He likes her massage chair and eating at Pizza Ranch in Green Bay.

“Not surprisingly, Ellsworth’s favorite memory together was meeting Randall Cobb, and I don’t blame him,” Going said. “Ellsworth is very excited to have Sean Clifford (Packers backup quarterback) ride his bike to the practice field on Aug. 7.”

The Big and the Little have impacted each other’s lives over the years.

“He shared that I showed him how to read better, how to be kind and how to pick good friends,” Going said. “As for me, it has been very cool watching him grow physically and emotionally the past seven years. I also feel like I have another ‘family’ in my life as his biological family has always made me feel loved and appreciated. You can never have enough families.”

Going treasures the bond the two have created.

“I feel like it has provided me the opportunity to create a special bond with a young child who will, hopefully, be positively impacted by this relationship,” she said. “It has given me purpose as my daughters have grown up, moved away and are now independent. Most importantly, I feel like my personality is much more light and not as serious. It seems being around children just puts me in a joyful mood! I am so grateful.”

Going recommends anyone considering joining should certainly give it a try.

“Once you do, you will never look back,” she said. “The benefits for the Big and the Little are numerous. You truly build an amazing relationship and just feel so good inside that you have a very special person in your life.”

In 2023, Big Brothers Big Sisters served 31 children in Shawano, Bonduel and Gillett, partnering with public and private schools for site-based mentoring.

According to its website, when compared with their peers, youths matched in the program experience 84% improvement in socio-emotional competence, 82% improvement in avoidance of risky behaviors and 83% educational success.

For more information, contact Schultz at 715-853-6716 or Cassitis@bbbsnew.org.

kpasson@newmedia-wi.com