MUSCATINE, Iowa — As Shellie Abraham’s children grew older, she realized parenthood had provided her with some valuable experience that she would have time to share.

Six years ago, she put those skills to work as a Big Sister for the Muscatine Community Y’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

That’s when she met Adam DeLong, and they’ve been together through the program ever since.

The focused attention of his Big Sister is a welcome departure from the hustle and bustle of his own big brother existence, said Adam, 12. Adam has five brothers and four of them, ages 8 and 10 and 3-year-old twins, are still at home.

Krista Regennitter, director of the local program, said Abraham and Adam are one example of the mutual benefits the Big Brothers and Sisters program.

She hopes more people will become Big Brothers and Sisters this year because numbers are down for the program in which Bigs and Littles meet for an hour a week during the regular school day.

Although 57 matches are continuing from last year, the number of new matches decreased significantly. 

There were 43 new school-based matches in 2008, and most of the volunteers were recruited in August and September. This year, there are eight new volunteers so far, and there are 32 children on the waiting list.    

The lagging economy puts many companies in a position where they need to do more with less, said Regennitter, which means many employees are taking on extra duties. 

“This makes it harder for employees to take the one hour a week out of work to volunteer in our school-based mentoring program,” said Regennitter.

But the need for volunteers is still great, because  economic difficulties, including job loss and reduced wages, also create family stress.  

Andy Nutt, a MUSCO Lighting employee, has been a Big Brother in the school-based program for three years. 

“The program coordinators make it very easy,” said Nutt, of Bettendorf, who has two daughters, ages 8 and 10. “I think it’s nice for anyone at any age to have a mentor or friend. Sometimes I wish I had a Big Brother.”

Jesus Escobedo, who has volunteered with the school based program since it began in 2002, is such a proponent of the program that he helps recruit his fellow employees at Bridgestone Bandag.

Escobedo and his Little Brother, Mikey Perez, sometimes spend the first part of their meeting time working on homework. After that, they have fun playing basketball or playing games.

“He loves computers,” said Escobedo. “It makes my head spin when he gets on a computer.”

Regennitter said people of all ages make successful Big Brothers and Sisters.

“We don’t just match people. We provide ongoing support to help relationships develop,” said Regennitter. “And we give people ideas for things to do when they get together.”

Details

What people say about the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program

Based on response to evaluations completed at the end of the 2008-09 school year about the school-based mentoring program in Muscatine:

—  72 percent of volunteers saw an improvement in their Little’s self confidence.

— 77 percent of volunteers saw an improvement in their  Little’s ability to express feelings.

— 84 percent saw an improvement in their Little’s ability to show trust toward their  Big.

— 91 percent of volunteers reported that their involvement in the Big Brothers Big Sister program positively affected their attitude at work or in life in general

— 91 percent of volunteers said they would encourage their friends to become involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters

— 71 percent of teachers saw an improvement in the child’s self confidence

— 66 percent of teachers saw an improvement in the child’s academic performance

— 69 percent of teachers saw an improvement in the child’s attitude towards school

— 96 percent of Little’s feel their Big is someone who will listen to them when they need to talk about something that is bothering them

For more information on the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of the Muscatine Community Y contact Dot McKasson at 263-9996.