Gina Mashburn is the Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Shoals. The BBBS program is supported by United Way and helps children who need additional adult role models in their lives. Many children are from single-parent households or have parents who do not pay attention to them, and this program offers children the chance to have an adult (preferably of the same gender) invest in their lives. By investing one on one time alone with a child, mentors can really impact the child's life by showing him or her that there is someone who cares so spend time with them.
BBBS has two school based programs (in Sheffield and Red Bay) where mentors spend an hour a week with a child at school to help with homework and simply to talk with them. In the community based program, mentors include a child in their everyday lives (movies, football games, etc.) for an hour or two a week. Matches are made based on the interests and hobbies of both the children and the mentors so that both parties feel comfortable with each other.
The application process isn't difficult but does require an interview and, obviously, a background check.
BBBS does fundraisers throughout the year (including a gift wrapping fundraiser, a fishing tournament, and a bowling fundraiser), which offer other volunteer opportunities. Although I don't think I want to apply to be a big sister (not sure how good a big sister I'd be...maybe I should ask my little brother), I am definitely thinking about volunteering at the gift wrapping fundraiser in late November and December.
Mrs Mashburn was very nice and knowledgeable about BBBS, and I enjoyed hearing some of her life-changing stories she's encountered while working for BBBS.
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