This isn’t exactly what we call a “scoop” in this business, but we’ll throw it out there anyway: We live and work in great community with so many great people. It warms our heart to see these people doing great and worthwhile things with their time and energy.
While the police blotter may distract some of us from the positives, There was a small article on A3 of Saturday’s paper that illustrated how big in heart this community can be. Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Elkhart County recently announced its “Bigs of the Year” awards honoring outstanding adult volunteers.
The premise of Big Brothers and Big Sisters is pretty simple — Adults in the community are paired with children in the community who could use the guidance and example of mentor. The “Bigs” meet with their “Littles” for an hour or two each week, either in a school or in the community. They talk. They laugh. They may even cry. Most of all, they establish a relationship that more often than not, touches the lives of all involved.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters is the oldest and largest adult mentoring program in the United States, serving children between ages 6 and 18 for more than a century.
According to the BBBS website, children who are mentored usually become more confident in the school performance and get along with their family better. The website also states that mentored children are 46 percent less likely to use illegal drugs, 27 percent less likely to use alcohol and 52 percent less likely to skip school.
The thing about mentoring is it can be the simplest, most mundane of conversations that flicks the switch and ultimately changes a life. That certainly seems worthy of an hour a week.
It does take a village to raise a child in so many ways. This year’s outstanding “Bigs” in Elkhart County include Brock Welch (Big Brother of the Year), Crystal Miller (Big Sister of the Year), Dale McCloskey (Rookie Big Brother of the Year) and Samantha Cook (Rookie Big Sister of the Year).
Congratulations to these fine people. We are all better off because of their efforts.
Opinion
Related Photos
-
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Elkhart County announced its four "Bigs of the Year" recently. Photo submitted
These ‘Bigs’ leave a large impact on lives
- Opinion
-
-
Like it or not, Sheriff is going to speak freely
Elkhart County Sheriff Brad Rogers has taken heat the past couple weeks after he commented during a political rally in downtown South Bend that he would not enforce proposed future gun-control legislation within his jurisdiction.
-
Goshen neighborhood stands together on north side
Sometimes a news photographer is at the optimum location at exactly the right time. Goshen News staffer Sam Householder was in such a spot Wednesday.
-
We just can’t thank our moms enough
The purpose of this editorial is quite simple. We just want to say, “Thanks, mom.” And by “mom” we mean all of the great mothers in our community who have gone above and beyond to lead the way in the development of their children.
-
Letter carriers help to Stamp Out Hunger
There’s still time to help someone you probably don’t know.
-
Farmers are positive this will be the year
Farmers and Cub fans have something in common. They are eternally positive and expect a better season next year.
-
It's time to spruce up the Maple City
This is the season and today is the day, finally.
-
Smooth sailing for this year’s regular session
The final gavel has fallen on the 2013 regular session of Indiana’s General Assembly. During the 14-week session, our lawmakers passed nearly 300 pieces of legislation, including the state’s $30 billion biennial budget that contains the largest tax cut in state history.
-
Palm Sunday tornadoes a reminder of sudden danger
It was a beautiful day, most people around these parts who can remember will tell you. It was one of those near-perfect, early spring days, they would likely say, a stark contrast to what early evening would bring on April 11, 1965.
Yes, the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1965, is still very vivid in our local history five decades later. Those were days before Doppler Radar, 24-7 cable television, countywide siren warning systems and even seatbelts in most cars. So, when afternoon turned to early evening, many local residents had little or no warning that killer tornadoes were nearly on top of them. -
Graduation is always a great achievement
While many of us have been waiting patiently – some not so patiently – for spring to finally show up in Northern Indiana, students throughout the area have been busy working on term papers, taking tests and ordering caps and gowns.
-
Carl Weaver has inspired many at GHS
Goshen High School teacher Carl Weaver has created one of the most successful science program in the United States, and we, on behalf of the thousands of students who have experienced the program, thank him.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
Raw: Heavy Tornado Damage in Shawnee, Okla
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
