“Once upon a time…” “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” “In the beginning,…” “When I stepped out into the bright sunlight…” “Call me Ishmael.”
Every great story must begin somewhere. Some, like these, begin with a great writer scripting the opening line and orchestrating all the details until “the end.”
I am inviting you to be part of a really great story here in our own community. It is a story that will change lives and is surely full of fun adventures. It is a story about a relationship. It is the story of a kid and an adult who are matched in the Mentors for Youth program.
We invite you to follow along with the tale as the match unfolds.
Be sure to check back frequently for updates
In the mid 1980’s, a small group of people came together with a common goal of helping area youth. In Fall of 1987, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dubois County officially began providing professional services to the Dubois County area. Fast forward to 2012, our Board of Directors made the official decision to disassociate from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to form Mentors for Youth of Dubois County.
Mentors for Youth is structured the same way by having the same mission, vision, and goals. With the change, we gained the ability to structure our program to better suit the needs of Dubois County. More than just offering mentorship, the Mentors for Youth program is a comprehensive program that benefits the children enrolled as well as the mentors involved and the community as a whole. Since our start, we’ve been able to serve over 1,000 local youth.
Be the difference.
6/14/16
Andrea and Damian Holsworth are not lacking for children: they have 4. Two boys, two girls who range in age from 10 to 2. Yet, they still felt called to bring just one more into their lives through mentoring.
Andrea knew people who were involved with Mentors For Youth and serving as mentor became a reoccurring thought.
“I just knew this would be an amazing serving opportunity.” Andrea said. “Not just for me but for the family as a whole.”
Though most mentors need a push, a little convincing or a pep talk before applying to mentor. Andrea and Damian’s process was a little different.
She mentioned mentoring to her husband Damian and he was “all in.”
“It’s not a question to us as to whether we should serve,” Andrea explained. “It’s what we were called here to do. The more you give, the more rewarding it is. You have to experience it to know it.”
Andrea and Damian have completed the interview process and are looking forward to being matched with their youth.
“I’m excited,” Andrea said. “Even the kids are excited. We’re going to get a great kid.”