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Big Brothers Big Sisters

The Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS) has been around for more than a century. Starting back in 1904, this program aims to see all children achieve success in their life through positive interaction with adult role models. The BBBS mission statement stands as, “[To] provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.” Through this program, adult volunteers in the community are paired with youth age six through eighteen in need. They key focuses of BBBS are to help children create healthy, lasting relationships, develop a sense of self-confidence, avoid risky or dangerous behaviors and achieve academic success. It is because of the efforts made by BBBS members and by the community that individuals have become inspired to give back to those in need.

One such example is that of DeSean Robinson. Robinson has been a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters for more than four years. Robinson’s mother signed him up when he was a child as a Little Brother. Over the course of time he spent in the program, Robinson has been mentored by his Big Brother, Jim Maule, and his wife Donna Maule. Robinson comments that this program and the lessons he learned through it has changed his life for the better. “Donna and Jim really taught me a lot of things. I learned so much from them and they really helped me mature.” Robinson said.

Jim Maule has been in the BBBS program for more than thirteen years. He and his wife have served as mentors to Robinson since he was in elementary school and comment on how he has been able to develop and grow as an individual over that time. “We’ve known him since age ten. He’s a kid we’ve really felt that we’ve made a difference with,” Jim said.

Although the BBBS program only pairs male mentors with male youth and women with young girls, both Jim and his wife work to serve as a positive force in Robinson’s life. Whether it be talking about sports, helping out with schoolwork, or just giving him a place to hang out and play games, the Maule family provides a helping hand to Robinson in any way they are able. “It’s such a joy to give back. We don’t feel like we’re giving anything except time. It’s about giving a kid someone to talk to when they need,” Donna said.

Inspired by what Big Brothers Big Sisters had done for him, Robinson decided to do something for them. While working with Tim Smith, an outreach worker for the Loyalsock and Montoursville school districts, the two had the idea to start a small summer project in order to give back to the community. Robinson took it one step further and sought to donate the project to BBBS. “We had the idea to make a cornhole game for a couple of kids. I helped put the board together and I was like hey, that looks like the BBBS logo color … I thought it would be perfect for it,” Robinson said.

Although he is only a sophomore at Loyalsock, Robinson already is making plans for his future. Robinson aspires to attend the University of Oregon, home of one of his favorite football teams, and major in business management. He is right on track for achieving his goals as he not only performs well in school and has a part time job, but additionally is a member of several sports teams. Robinson is thankful for his Big Brother Jim Maule and his wife Donna and all they have done for him through BBBS. “It’s overall a really great program and I encourage more people to join,” he said.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters of America have been around for over a century and they don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. Still, the organization always is in search of adult volunteers to help them with their mission of helping at-risk youth within the community. BBBS in our area is especially in need of adult males to serve as mentors. All that BBBS asks is that volunteers are willing to give a few hours of their day a couple of times a month in order to work towards changing the lives of those in need. For those that don’t have the time to volunteer as a Big Brother or Big Sister, there are still ways to get involved by functioning as a donor or an advocate for the organization. If you or someone you know may be interested in Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit http://www.bbbs.org/ and give back to your community just as DeSean Robinson did.

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