 Statement
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The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters
of Martha's Vineyard is to help children in our program cope
with the special problems they face growing up in single-family
homes. Our primary goal is to match children (age 6 through
teens) to dedicated caring adult volunteers who will provide
the friendship and one to one mentoring needed by children
during their childhood and adolescent years. In addition,
we provide group mentoring to matched and unmatched children
with a variety of recreational and educational activities
to enrich their lives and provide peer interaction. We have
also established a school mentoring system, PALS, where students
from elementary schools are matched with volunteer mentors
from the High School and supervised by Big Brothers Big Sisters
personnel.
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Testimonials
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Janice Perrin- Program Director
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Amy Padalino
and Janice Perrin
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I have been working with Big Brothers and
Big Sisters since 1997. I started as a case worker on Cape Cod
I then decided to open an office on the Lower Cape where the
children were not being served. In May of 2003 I came to Martha's
Vineyard to direct this program.
I have a passion for making people smile, for making their world
a better place to live, and most of all giving people especially
children something they deserve. I believe in the Big Brothers
Big Sisters motto. Every child who wants or needs a "Big"
should have one. It is my mission here on Martha's Vineyard
to make this motto come true.
Amy Padalino- Program Coordinator
In 2002, I was matched with my little sister, Brianna, and recruited
to assist the Program Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Seeing what I have gotten out of our friendship inspires me
to spread the word by constantly promoting our program. It is
an amazing concept that introduces another perspective to a
child, while bringing immeasurable joy into the adult's world.
My hope is that our group of Bigs, Board Members, and volunteers
can continue our work by securing consistent funding. Our Director
is extremely dedicated and experienced. The partnerships formed
within the school system are getting stronger. And we have a
100-year-old National organization supporting us. We are in
a better position than ever to reach out to the youth of Martha's
Vineyard.
Quotes from matches:
| When
was the last time you. |
| . |
..waded
through rain puddles?
...sat in the gazebo at Ocean Park?
...watched a sunset's transformation?
...drove up-island?
...went sledding?
...asked "trick or treat?"
...jumped in the ocean surf?
...hiked Menemsha Hills?
...cheered on a fireworks display?
...climbed the Aquinnah Lighthouse?
...laughed really loud? |
"Gordie and I have many deep discussions about
the world of politics, nature, the ocean, baseball and other
sports, and many other things. I have learned many insights
from Gordie that I will always cherish. And I hope that I
have shed some light for Gordie on the way an older, experienced
person looks at various things." - Bill Randol
"I like being a Little because I get to make new friends,
and go to cool parties! I also like going to Angela's house
to play with her dogs! Yay!" - Gaia Whitmon
"I like having a Big Sister because she's kind, generous,
and fun to talk to. She likes things I like to do. For example,
we enjoy nature, going to the beach, & catching baby eels.
We like to drive around & listen to music. We like to
dress up together for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Halloween
Party. We went dressed as cowgirls! My Big Sister, Christen,
is funny, stylish, & helps me with my problems. We went
to the Martial Arts Exposition. And we went sailing on the
Alabama." - Erin Brown
" There comes a point when we all need to face our fears."
- Little Sister, Emma Forbes to Big Sister, Kristen Spears
regarding bridge-diving at State Beach.
"I do fun stuff with my Big Sister. We go to movies,
to the barbeque, we entered the calendar contest, & we
went to the Halloween Party! We have bound journals. I enjoy
going to BBBS events, getting snacks, doing
crafts, and just spending time with my Big Sister." -
Ava Castro
"Ashley is a fun person to be around. We do lots of things
like: miniature golf, swimming at the pool and going to the
beach. It's nice to spend free time having fun with Ashley."
- Big Sister Beth Glynn
"Ashley likes having Beth as a Big Sister because she
feels like Beth is her private best friend. Beth is fun to
be around and is very funny. Ashley hopes that Beth will be
with her until the end!" - Little Sister, Ashley Tripp
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Board Members
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Susan Alford-Sandman
Bill Brown (Vice President)
Debbie Carter
Moira Silva (Secretary)
Debbie Dolliver
Brenda Lehman
Greg Orcutt (Co-President)
"Trader" Fred Mascolo
Mike McCourt (Co-President & Treasurer)
Wanda Jean Myers
Barbara Phillips
Michael Santoro
Frank Williams
Honorary Board
Gary Blodgett, Susan Canham, Dee Dice, David Finkelstein,
Diana Manter, Jim Rothschild, and Karin Stanley.
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