Big Brothers Big Sisters shines light on volunteers
It was a night to appreciate volunteers.
But the Big Brothers Big Sisters A Year of Mentoring celebration on Sept. 22 also recognized the impact both the bigs and littles have on each other’s lives.
Humboldt BBBS Caseworker, Amy Hogemann, awarded both the Youth and Mentor of the Year, but had important companions doing the awarding as well.
MacKenzie McKeown, was awarded the Youth of the Year by her little brother, Jayjay Ondong.
Ondong had lots to say about how awesome his big sister is, from helping him with math to teaching him to bake.
Mentor of the Year was awarded to big brother, Justin Tarrant by his little brother Shawn Letawski.
Tarrant was a little brother growing up in Moose Jaw so he was quick to become a big brother himself when he moved here.
“I learned all different kinds of things like respect and respecting yourself, just stuff that I thought I could pass on to a little here.”
Tarrant says that they both have learned a lot over the past year he has spent being a big brother to Letawski.
“The things that he has taught me; the patience, the understanding, not always jumping to conclusions. What we’ve taught each other has been phenomenal.”
Letawski’s mom, Randi Gibson, has seen the positive change Tarrant has brought to her son by being a strong male role model for him.
“I thought it was going to be quite difficult when we did move but with (Tarrant) willing to drive and everybody agreeing that we should keep the match open and going, it’s been good. The consistency with Shawn is a big thing for me right now.”
After moving to Saskatoon, it was quickly decided that Tarrant and Letawski’s match would continue.
Development Coordinator, Stacey Poss, says that they really enjoy celebrating their volunteers, mentors, and mentees.
Seeing the kids out presenting to their mentors is especially special.
“You really see the heart of the organization,” says Poss, “it really does impact their life. When you see the emotion in the child, and mentors, it makes it real.”
With September’s Big Brothers Big Sisters month wrapping up, Poss is looking forward to nurturing all the seeds that were planted this past month.
“There will be a lot of matching going on for the month of October.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters jam the Friday drop in
The Big Brothers Big Sisters Back to School Bash was something new for the Community Gathering Place’s Youth Drop In night.
Musicians, Ray Whitton and Trevor Ross, were invited to play music and jam with the kids that have made the drop in night their home every Friday.
Everyone has different mentors in their life and Poss says the night was a way to expose kids to different opportunities.
Whitton and Ross sharing their stories is also part of mentorship, says Community Development Coordinator, Stacey Poss, who wants to inspire kids with adult success stories. The drop in night was a great place to do it.
Whitton and Ross have had success with their music as well as passion for what they do.
Poss says she wanted to give the kids the opportunity to see that.
“They both have day jobs but music to them is something they do outside of that and they enjoy it and it helps them be happy. We all have that creative side to us and it’s important to let the kids know that they have some kind of creativity. It may not be exactly music.”
Whitton was more than happy to share his music with the young people that were there. Sharing your talents with people is important, says Whitton, so he wanted to encourage the kids to share their own talents, whatever they may be.
During his performance he spoke about how music got him through some dark times in his life and even sang some original songs that he wrote with Jay Semko of the Northern Pikes.
He was more nervous singing for the kids than he has ever been.
“I don’t know what’s cool for music anymore. I’m at that age where I don’t know what a cool pop song is. I was nervous that playing one of my songs might turn them off of music forever,” he laughs.
Two young men joined Whitton and Ross after their performance to jam and talk about singing and songwriting.
Poss says that even if they just encourage just those two young men the whole night is worth it.
Community Gathering Place Manager, Marie-Louise Ternier-Gommers, says this is something new that they want to keep up for Friday nights.
“It’s great, the kids all come and they love hanging out but we also would like to offer some contact with adults who can be an inspiration.”
It was in informal start for the drop in nights, says Ternier-Gommers, so they wanted to have a new school year kick off that included a theme night and special invites. The kids have requested a friday night dance and Ternier-Gommers says that they are more than happy to put one on for them.
Anyone willing to help out, as well as share ideas for other theme nights, is more than welcome to contact Ternier-Gommers at the Community Gathering Place.
