#OneOfMANY: Thoughts On Youth Services From North Carolina
MANY is traveling all across the country, meeting with member organizations, talking about their programs, and identifying trends and issues that are happening in the youth services field across the U.S. We had the privilege of sitting down with Erin J. Callahan, the Director of Programs at one of our member organizations, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle, to talk more about her thoughts on what keeps her energized and committed to her work in youth services in North Carolina:
Q: Where do you find your energy to continue your commitment to this work? Erin J. Callahan, Director of Programs at BBBS Triangle:
"My energy and continued commitment to help find positive mentors for the kids in our program comes directly from becoming a Big Sister/Mentor myself. Early in my career at BBBST, our CEO, Kim Breeden, convinced me to become a Big Sister in our site-based program. I was matched for 2.5 years and met with my Little Sister once a week for an hour at her school. I was able to experience firsthand the importance of consistency, patience and the power of lending a listening ear to a young person. Our match ended when my Little Sister moved out of state. To this day, I still recall many of the conversations, laughs and many free throw shooting practice sessions in the school gym. Now, we have Parents, Littles (mentees) and Bigs (mentors) who come to speak at different meetings and events for Mission moments. These participants in our program come and open their hearts to share their stories and there is never a dry eye. Moments like these are what keep me going and keep me committed to helping to change childrens’ lives for the better, forever."
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle Big Brothers and Big Sisters (BBBS) of the Triangle matches childen with a mentor who is over 18 years old in order to provide the children with a positive adult role model. You can follow their work in youth services in North Carolina on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to check out their website here.
To follow the rest of MANY’s road trip around the country, follow the hashtag on Twitter #MANYRoadTrip here and follow the hashtag on Facebook #MANYRoadTrip here.
