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Allen County Edition Ed E Reaching Fort Wayne And Surrounding Counties
Vol. 33, No. 11
www.seniorlifenewspapers.com
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If you ask anyone at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana, they’ll tell you that you don’t have to be perfect to be a mentor — you just have to care. Ron Reese of Fort Wayne is among the hundreds of caring volunteers, or “Bigs” who are matched one-onone with youth in the community. Reese, who’s worked at Raytheon for 40 years, has been matched with Little Michael for the last five years. They enjoy a unique relationship in that Reese’s son, Adam, also acts as a Big to Michael. That works out well because sometimes Reese has to travel for his job. It was important to Reese that Michael
have a consistent positive male role model in his life. Fortunately, for Michael he has two men he can lean on. When he and Michael do get to meet, it’s a lot of fun for both of them. They’re enrolled in the community-based program, which means adult mentors are matched with youth ages 6 to 13. Agency staff hand-select every match based on shared interests, geography and personality. According to Reese, their outings present a chance to bond and talk about what’s going on in Michael’s life. But they also just like to have fun. “Pre-COVID, we would go to hockey and football games,” he said. “We’d go bowling. We’d go to my brother’s lake to swim and
we’d have +$9,1* )81 $7 $ 0$7&+ (9(17 ³ 5RQ 5HHVH DQG KLV /LWWOH %URWKHU 0LFKDHO cookouts. HQMR\ D WUHDW ZKLOH SDUWLFLSDWLQJ LQ D PDWFK HYHQW DW %LJ %URWKHUV %LJ 6LVWHUV RI 1RUWKHDVW We’d do ,QGLDQD 3KRWR SURYLGHG all sorts “Let me tell you, there’s always say, ‘don’t be afraid,” he said. of things. kids needing an adult in their “You’d be amazed how the kids That’s just sort of scratching the will adapt to whatever you can life,’ he said. “And it doesn’t surface.” do for them. And they’re so happy have to be a huge commitment. I What matters more than the activity is the time spent engaged decided I wanted to hang out with that someone is taking the time to do something with them.” Michael at least once a week. with the child. That gets back to On his end, Reese said Michael And that’s what we’ve tried to do the heart of the agency’s mission. has enriched his life and gives it for the last five years. Now the Founded in 1972, the mission greater purpose. He also spoke agency says it doesn’t have to be of Big Brothers Big Sisters of highly about the agency’s support that often. But I wanted to be a Northeast Indiana is to create for the match. Volunteers do not consistent part of his life.” and support one-to-one mentorgo it alone. Staff help with all That dedication is what mening relationships that ignite the steps along the way, from settorship is all about. Reese said power and promise of youth. the program can be a real game ting up the match to acting as a On that note, Reese is a firm changer for both the child and the listening ear when needed. Visit believer in the power of showing adult. Both parties can benefit. bbbsnei.org to learn more about up for kids who need a little extra “If I were going to talk to somehow to get involved or call (260) attention. A seemingly small one about becoming a Big, I would 456-1600. show of support can go a long way.