January is National Mentoring Month

Big Brothers Big Sisters Needs Support to Help

More Kids Beat the Odds

In recognition of National Mentoring Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine is calling on not only volunteers, but donors as well, to provide support for thousands of children who need mentors.  Big Brothers Big Sisters is the nation’s largest donor-supported volunteer network of long-term mentors for youth, providing matching, screening and ongoing support for “Bigs,” “Littles,” and families.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine is one of the network’s nearly 400 agencies helping about 255,000 Littles succeed in and out of school.

National Mentoring Month is spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project of the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a lead partner.

“Our priority and what differentiates Big Brothers Big Sisters is our commitment to providing long-term mentoring, resulting in proven positive educational and social outcomes, improving kids' chances to succeed,” said Alex Gaeth, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine.  “Donors enable Big Brothers Big Sisters' quality staff, backed by proven support systems and structures, to provide ongoing support for "Littles," their families and "Bigs," from before each match is made, throughout the course of the mentoring friendship.”

Independent research finds Littles are more likely than their peers to have better school attendance and improvements in behavior -- avoiding violence and illegal activities -- and they are more likely to have stronger relationships at home and elsewhere.

Boys disproportionately represent Littles ready to be matched with Bigs.  This month, with emphasis on mentoring, the organization is expecting a surge in volunteers.  The hope is that donations will come in as well, so that all Bigs and Littles who are ready to be matched can begin a long, successful mentoring match, supported by Big Brothers Big Sisters professionals who are committed to helping vulnerable children beat the odds.

Lincoln Academy Student Recognized for Outstanding Volunteer Service

By John Maguire

Donald (Big) and his "Little", Brandon

Donald Cundy, a junior at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle, has been a Big Brother since his freshman year. He is being honored for his outstanding volunteer service with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine at the WCSH 11th Annual Teens Who Care Award Ceremony next month.

The ceremony, hosted by WCSH-6 News Center’s Lee Nelson and Sharon Rose, will take place at the Portland Museum of Art on Mon., April 13.

The six student winners each receive $2000 scholarship funds from Maine Education Services and Maine Community College System (sponsors of the event) and were chosen out of 44 nominated volunteers.

The six winners are Daniel Ault of Brewer, Donald Cundy, Patrick Diamond of Scarborough, Morgan Mitchell of Southport, Alexandra Morrow of Lebanon, and Jordan Sanford of Shapleigh.

Tossing Around a football in back of the Great Salt Bay School in Damariscotta with his 12 year-old pal, Cundy clearly has fun. The two smile and laugh, share jokes and chat amiably.

The LA student has been bound to a wheelchair since age four when he was struck by a vehicle, but this doesn’t slow him down.

According to a WCSH-6 press release, Cundy is also an Assistant Scout Leader for Troop 228. Cundy reaches over to pick up the spongy football, which is wet from having landed in puddles left by melted snow and hurtles it back to his younger friend.

He comes to GSB School every Tuesday afternoon to hang out with his “Little,” Brandon Jewett. Cundy recalled having someone to look up to as a young person and aspired to give back and joined the program to become a “Big.”

“When I was in the first grade, I thought it was the coolest thing to have an eighth grader hang out with me,” he said.

According to Alex Gaeth, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine, Cundy is a committed volunteer.

“He’s got a great outlook on life,” Gaeth said, adding that the student’s positive attitude rubs off on those around him. “He’s got a wicked sense of humor.”

Gaeth went on to say that Cundy is not concerned with what other people think, but cares more about what he can do for others. A former Big Brother himself, Gaeth said teenagers have it tough. Often feeling they are too young to offer the world anything, he said the students in the program learn they have a lot to offer.

Speaking of the award Cundy is to receive, Gaeth said, “He’s very deserving of it.”

As the press release states, NBC affiliate WCSH channels 6 and 2 will present short documentary-style video clips of each winning student at the award ceremony.

The video profiles will air during a following televised Teens Who Care Special. The station will also televise 30-second public service announcement clips of the students throughout May and June.

This story originally appeared in the Lincoln County News

Best Friends

Bob (Big) and his “Little,” Nate, a Community-Based Match

"My Big Brother is my best friend"

-Nate, who was matched with Bob in the Community-Based Mentoring Program last summer

Nate, a Little, from Bristol:

Last summer I was matched with Bob, a Big Brother, and we do something together every weekend. We go to the movies, fairs, hike, snowshoe, fish, kayak, volunteer at the animal shelter and lots of other neat stuff. It's terrific.

I spent Thanksgiving and Christmas at my Big Brother's home and have become close to his whole family. Recently on my birthday he and his wife took me to a real nice restaurant. They have encouraged me to do well in school and answer lots of questions for me. They are like the family I never had. My Big Brother is my best friend. When I get older I want to be a Big Brother and help some boy through tough times just like I was helped by Bob and his family.

Bob, a Big, from South Bristol:

When I retired after 31 years of college teaching (and many years as a Boy Scout leader), I decided that I would like to continue to be involved with young people. I began as a volunteer math tutor at the local school. When I learned about the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, I thought that I would like to give it a try. I was matched with a fifteen year old boy, Nate, who was basically an orphan. I was somewhat wary at first as I didn't know what to expect. The relationship has developed in to something special for both of us. We are together every Saturday or Sunday and I take great pleasure in seeing how happy he is. One of the great joys was watching him catch his first fish- a 35" inch striped bass.

My wife and I have both become close to my 'little' and he is like one of the family. My son who is 23 also joins us for some of our activities. He and Nate have become good friends as well. I believe we have had a very positive effect on Nate's attitudes about life. He is more optimistic and open. He's now talking about college and a career in animal care. He's a fine young man who just needed some kindness and encouragement. Because of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program he's received both.

BBBS Welcomes Cathy Hardy

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine is pleased to welcome Cathy Hardy to the team as the new Special Events Coordinator. Cathy comes to Big Brothers Big Sisters with a wealth of experience in development within the Midcoast community. In her new role, she will help raise funds for the critical mentoring programs through the annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake event and Bids for Kids Wreath Auction, as well as by writing grants. “Cathy has helped a number of other local organizations grow tremendously over the years and we know that having her on our team will mean more kids will have access to the positive role models they need to grow up and lead happy, healthy lives,” states Alex Gaeth, Executive Director.

Most recently Cathy held the position of Director of Development and Community Relations at the Owls Head Transportation Museum, where she managed fundraising events and campaigns, marketing and wrote grants. Prior to that, she excelled in similar arenas as the Director of Community Relations and Development at the Pen Bay YMCA. Her experience also includes serving as the Executive Director of the Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce. She serves her local community as a member of the Lincolnville Select Board, and is excited about the opportunity to improve the lives of youth through BBBS’ proven mentoring programs. “I’m delighted to be working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine and look forward to helping them gain additional exposure and recognition in Knox, Waldo and Lincoln Counties.  I’m also eager to work again with the business community and build new relationships to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs.  I strongly believe in their mission and I’m looking forward to working with their team of energetic and caring professionals.  I also encourage anyone who would like to help kids in the mid-coast area to consider volunteering at Big Brothers Big Sisters,” says Hardy.

Walter Guptill, President of the Board of Directors, states “I have known Cathy for many years and I am delighted to welcome a person of her character and qualifications to our team. Cathy’s strong ties to the midcoast community and professional accomplishments will surely translate to great things for our organization and more importantly I am confident that the youth of Midcoast Maine will benefit too.”

To find out how you can help the team at BBBS of Midcoast Maine change the lives of our local youth, either by volunteering or donating, contact us at 593-0380, stop by our new office at 16 School St., Suite 201 in Rockland, or email bbbs@midcoast.com.

Brevetto Kitchen & Wine Bar

Took place on September 14th, 2009. Portion of the proceeds benefited BBBSMCM.