In 2001 I joined with a team of mentors associated with the Connections Mentoring Program at Mount Ararat Middle School in Topsham. This in-school mentoring program would later become a part of the Big Brother/Big Sister Mentoring program. I had the opportunity this past October to be matched with a twelve year old boy named Dan. I began meeting with him in the school two times a week. We became friends almost immediately. He and I have great conversations during each get together. Encouraging him to do his best in applying his talents to succeed in life seems to work best when affirming his uniqueness as a person. By listening to him as he shares his hopes and dreams, struggles and insights, I have been able to suggest ways that he can improve himself and meet the kinds of challenges we all seem to face in our day to day living.

Several months after I became Dan's mentor, Connie Hartley, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick Area, informed me that Dan had been waiting for over a year to have a big brother. She asked me if I would combine being Dan's mentor and his big brother. My affirmative answer to her question came only after Dan let me know "Yes, Dude, I hoped you would agree to be my big brother!!" We are having a great time together. Not only do I continue to mentor him in the school twice a week, but we have out of school get togethers for fun and games, visits to places of interest, and so much more. Our lives have been affirmed and strengthened in so many ways since this relationship was established.

If you are interested in learning how you can become a “Big Brother” or a "School Mentor", please contact Elizabeth Dobson at 729-7736 ext 12 or e-mail Community@bbbsbathbrun.org.