WANTED: BIG-HEARTED ADULTS TO MENTOR LOCAL CHILDREN

Finding children in need of mentors isn't nearly as challenging as finding enough adults who can offer a positive role model, says the local staff of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.

The organization set up a satellite office in Cape Girardeau recently and is beginning to search for adult volunteers.

After just a few conversations with area school administrators, Alison Staggs and Andrea Glenn of Big Brothers Big Sisters knew the ratio of children to adults would be high.

"We always need more Big Brothers because young males need role models and an influence to help them make better decisions," said Staggs, director of the Big Brothers Big Sisters office in Cape Girardeau.

The group's office is at 1028 N. Kingshighway and will serve children in the Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Mo., and Scott City, Mo., areas.

The local staff has high hopes for making the right matches as they begin to find mentors and children for the programs offered.

"You don't have to be president of a company or have a great resume, just a heart for children," said Staggs.

People volunteer to be mentors for many reasons, whether it's because they never had younger siblings in their families and want that experience or because they grew up with siblings and want to share that experience with other children, she said.

So far, the response has been positive among the people in the community, Staggs said. Some were Big Brothers or Big Sisters in other communities and want to continue their support for the programs, she added.

Staggs and Glenn, the case manager, have been meeting with school principals, counselors and teachers to identify children at risk or in need of better role models. They also have met with area civic and community organizations interested in providing mentors.

The two intend to make 100 matches before January. Initially, they will work through on-site activities at local schools and then will expand to community-based volunteers.

The time commitment for on-site volunteers likely will be less than 10 hours per month. Visits will be limited to once or twice each week.

When the program expands to the entire community, it will offer mentor matches for children ages 5 to 17. Parents must agree to participate and a one-year commitment is required for both child and mentor.

With community-based relationships, the Big Brother or Big Sister can take the child on shopping trips, to baseball games or just to the park to play. The idea is to give children more focused attention and build their self-esteem, Staggs said.

"They are the sole focus and get all the attention," she said.

However, before any adults can be matched with children, they must go through a strict process with applications, interviews, orientation and training before they make contact with a little brother or little sister.

"We are very careful about who we choose," Glenn said. "We're looking for someone who wants to make an impact on a life and do it for all the right reasons."

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, call Staggs at 979-0082 or Glenn at 979-0074. An office number will be announced soon.