Mentoring can not only change a child's life, it can also positively impact an entire family. In fact one grandmother says the Big Brothers Big Sisters program is giving her peace of mind.
It's a day of fun in the sun for Mary Anne Pease and her family. Mary Anne's raising four children. Her two youngest are 11 year old Cheyanne and 8 year old Chelsea. She became their legal guardian more than 6 years ago and while she has time to play outside with them, Mary Anne knew she needed help.
“I'm not young anymore and taking on children and raising them and trying to show them the best way of life sometimes gets a little hard,” said Mary Anne Pease.
So Mary Anne signed up for her children to get mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Alabama. Both of the little swimmers have been matched with a big sister for more than a year.
“Instead of nana and papa telling them this is how things go, they needed to find out from a different person that what we were saying is the truth when they go on in life,” said Pease.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non profit organization that matches a mentor with a child.
“They do to the fullest what they need to do to match these children with best person that is suitable for them,” said Pease.
Even though the girls don't normally swim with their big sisters, Mary Anne says both of her grandchildren have bonded with their bigs and learned a lot.
“She’s showed her responsibility, discipline and just showed her that being a child is what she needs to be in her growing up process,” said Pease.
But for the girls it's not about the guidance, it's about having a good time.
“We bake cookies and we make eggs and we take her dog for a walk,” said 8 year old Chelsea Dramond.
For more information on Big brothers Big Sisters of North Alabama call (256) 880-2123.
