Having a mentor, or a positive role model, can change a child's life and that is exactly the mission of the Big Brothers Big Sisters non-profit organization. The BBBS of north Alabama has a ‘Mentoring Children of Prisoners’ program. The program received a grant for almost $150,000 last year last November.
The grant funds go toward training the ‘Big Brothers’ and ‘Big Sisters.’ For new big sis, Tiffany Ousley, this is her first training session. The Alabama A & M sophomore has been matched with a 6 year old girl whose father is in prison. She's been mentoring for only a few months now.
“I want her to know that just because her situation is the way it is now, the future is forever yours and the sky is the limit literally,” said Big Sister Tiffany Ousley.
Tiffany is attending the training in hopes of having more tools. That way she's ready to handle anything that may come up with her ‘Little Sister.’
“I hope to take away the skills that are necessary if we were to come up with a problem that I'd be better equipped in solving that problem,” said Ousley.
Soon to be ‘Big Brother’ of a 14 year old teen is Tim Dimella. He is also taking the class to be better prepared, but he already knows some of the things he wants to teach his 'Little Brother.'
“I want to help him understand about money. Money's very important. You go into debt with money you're going to go in debt mentally, emotionally, spiritually you're going to go into debt,” said Dimella.
Jared Francis is the coordinator of the ‘Mentoring Children of Prisoners’ program. He says the program provides mentorship to children ages 4 to 18 who have a parent in prison. Francis says the $147,000 grant will go toward training for mentors, mentees and parents.
“To build their self esteem, to build their self worth, making them betters leaders in the community that's ultimately our goal,” said Francis.
“I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to have such an impact on a young ladies life because it is hard and I hope that I do have that impact because she's got a bright future ahead of her and I see it already,” said Francis.
For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters, go to http://www.bbbsna.org/
