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OAKLAND — Nine-year-old Briannah is waiting for the news that she has a Big Sister. She’s anxious to talk with her new friend about her interest in geology, maybe find unique rocks together in the Skowhegan community where she lives, and is excited about sharing her love for animals. Her mom, a single parent, hopes a one-to-one relationship with a female role model will give her daughter self-confidence, raise her aspirations and set her on the path to success.
Dimitri, 14, moved to Readfield with his mother after a fire displaced their family. He admits it can be difficult to make new friends, so he is excited about being matched with a Big Brother. He enjoys hiking, swimming, being outside and helping others and says he looks forward to sharing his life with a friend he can look up to.
Briannah and Dimitri are among 25 youth in Kennebec and Somerset counties waiting to be matched with positive adult role models through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine. About 60 percent of those waiting are boys.
Gwendolyn Hudson, BBBSMM executive director, said the agency hopes to find caring, compassionate males in the community ready to share their time to help change the life of a child. BBBSMM matches kids, age 5 to 14 with carefully screened, trained adults who meet independently with their Little for two to five hours each week for at least a year.
BBBS of Mid-Maine serves more than 700 kids in seven counties. According to a recent outcomes survey, almost 90 percent of children in the BBBS of Mid-Maine program reported marked improvements in academic performance, behavioral assessment and avoidance of risky behavior.
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of kids waiting to be matched in Kennebec and Somerset counties, said Renee Igo, a Kennebec Valley program manager, including in Waterville, Winslow, Oakland, Skowhegan, Augusta and Gardiner.
BBBSMM recently started a “Waiting Wednesday” post on Facebook and Instagram, highlighting youth waiting to be matched.
Big Brother Richard Behr and his Little Brother, Jaxen, have met every week for more than four years. Jaxen was 9 when they first met, and his mother said he had intense anxiety in new situations. As a working parent with other young children at home, she recognized he wasn’t getting enough one-on-one time with her. She said she hoped having a mentor would help Jaxen increase his confidence and give him motivation to try new things.
Behr and Jaxen hike, snowshoe, fish and take on building projects. A registered Maine Guide, Behr says he enjoys sharing his passion for the outdoors with Jaxen. And Jaxen has shared his love for cars and movies with Behr. Behr said mentoring has provided the opportunity to continue to encourage Jaxen to be active, help him develop interests and have serious conversations about the issues all young boys encounter as teenagers, using the rapport and trust they’ve built.
Adults interested in learning more should contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine at 207-370-1674 or reneeigo@bbbsmidmaine.org or visit bbbsmidmaine.org.
PHOTO: Richard Behr and Jaxsen have been Big, Little Brothers for four years. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine says that many local children, especially boys, are looking for mentors through the program. (Submitted photo)
