Be Big Acadiana

2010-11-19T12:35:00.000-08:00

"Kickin It for Kids"
First Annual Kickball Tournament
benefiting
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana
Presented by
Acadiana Sports Leagues (ASL)

"Kickin' It for Kids" Double Elimination Tournament Details:
Saturday, December 4, 2010 ~ 11am start
Beaver Park ~ 500 Fisher Road, Lafayette
Teams: 10 person c0-ed (min of 3 females)
$350 Tournament Fee ($35/person)
Tournament Fee includes:
Event T-shirts, BEER, Chili Dogs, & Soft Drinks!!!
For more information, click here. Or, contact Alyson at 269.0454

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR TEAM!

2010-11-17T11:28:00.000-08:00

Match Story:
Katina(Little Sister) and Ashley (Big Sister)

Little Sister Katina and Big Sister Ashley met in late October at J. Wallace James where they were matched in the School-Based mentoring program through a partnership with the Junior League. Katina is in the third grade and has been waiting excitedly for a Big Sister of her own. Ashley, one of several volunteers from the Junior League, has also been very excited to meet and share time with her Little. While excited, Katina was shy at first. But, once the ice was broken and conversation got moving they realized that they both love pizza and hate roaches. After visiting for a few minutes and learning more about each other’s likes and dislikes, Katina excitedly stopped Ashley and said, "WOW! We have SO much in common!"
Toward the end of the Match Initiation, Katina asked her Case Manager if she could speak with her privately. Ashley was a little surprised and wondered what Katina was going to say. So, Ashley respectfully stepped out of the room and Katina said very proudly and excitedly to her Case Manager that "Ashley is the best Big Sister in the world!" As they walked back to Katina's classroom so that Ashley could meet her teacher, Katina introduced Ashley, saying proudly "This is my big sister!" to all the teachers and students they passed. She was so proud to show off her Big Sister. When they parted, she gave Ashley a big hug and told her she missed her already. Ashley commented, too, on her way out that they have a lot in common and she thinks it's going to be a wonderful experience and a great match!

Big Brothers Big Sisters Celebrates 25 Years of Mentoring

2010-05-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

$25 for 25 - Celebrating and Supporting
25 Years of Mentoring Children in Acadiana

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana is proud to be celebrating 25 years of mentoring service! Since 1985, we have provided thousands of caring adult mentors to children in the Acadiana area. To honor our silver anniversary and support these important programs, we are launching an online fundraiser, $25 for 25. For just $25, you can help provide opportunities for positive youth development to the children of Acadiana through our one-to-one mentoring programs. To make an online donation, or to create your own fundraising page, go to www.firstgiving.com/acadianabigs. Be BIG and show your support!

One BIG Step - A Step Show to Promote Education

2010-05-04T07:05:00.000-07:00

One Big Step ~ A Step Show to Promote Education was presented by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana on Saturday, May 1^st from 1:30-3:30 at the Clifton Chenier Center. Although Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana focuses primarily on one-to-one mentoring, One Big Step was an attempt to reach out to the children on our waiting list, as well as those currently in our program, with a positive message about the importance of education. Performers included step teams from UL’s Alpha Phi Alpha & Sigma Gamma Rho, Comeaux High School and Northside High School. By showing examples of these talented individuals and groups, whose membership requires maintaining a certain GPA and upholding a Code of Conduct, One Big Step highlighted the importance of making good grades and reaching for higher education. Kenneth Boudreaux served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event. Other speakers included Tonya Bolden-Ball, Willy Ricks, Crystal Quillen and Aaron Williams who all serve as mentors and positive role models in our program.

2010-04-07T14:04:00.001-07:00

Match Story ~ Deion and Marcus

Deion and Marcus were matched in the Site-Based, Mentoring for Success program this November. With just over 4 months of being matched, they are already showing great signs of friendship. Deion is a 7th grader at NP Moss Middle School. Marcus is a busy UL Student and active member of the Alpha Fraternity. Marcus visits Deion once a week at his school where the two enjoy talking with each other about things that are going on in their lives. Deion says that Marcus is always willing to listen to him and eager to help him find solutions to current problems. If Deion needs help with school work, Marcus makes sure to focus more on academics during their visits. Despit Marcus’ busy school and social schedule, he makes sure to set aside time for his weekly visit to NP Moss Middle. Marcus says that acting as a mentor in the BBBS program is one of the easiest and rewarding things he has done—it’s just a matter of commitment and consistency. Even though their match is site based, the two plan to continue conversation over the summer so they can stay informed and involved in each other’s lives.

Bowl For Kids' Sake

2010-03-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

Bowl For Kids' Sake 2010 ~ Celebrating 25 Years of Service was a huge success thanks to all of the wonderful community and corporate support!!!

We had over 60 teams that bowled with us and brought in over $21,000 in bowler donations alone!!!
It was so fantastic to see so many people supporting our important one-to-one mentoring programs.
What a way to BE BIG, Acadiana!!!

Big Brothers Big Sisters in St. Landry and Evangeline Parish

2010-01-13T09:06:00.000-08:00

Click here for article in Opelousas Daily World

January is National Mentoring Month and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Acadiana is hoping to significantly increase the number of local mentors for disadvantaged young people

"We have a number of mentors in St. Landry Parish but we can use many more," said Alyson Haymark with the national mentoring program's Lafayette office. "We want to establish a satellite office in Opelousas to help spread the word."

One of the current volunteers is Iesha Gabriel, who works in the parish assessors office in Opelousas. For the past year she has served as a big sister to 10-year-old Keoni.

Gabriel, who recently graduated from Nicholls State University, said she had long known about the program and wanted to volunteer, but even so, she was surprised about the result.

"I expected it to be more of an obligation. I didn't expect it to be so much fun. I find myself actually looking forward to spending time with my little sister," Gabriel said.

She said Keoni was very shy and withdrawn at first. For their first outing together, they simply took a walk, talked about things they liked and started the process of getting to know each other.

"Now, if she has a bad day at school, she will call me and we will just talk. We are just there for each other," Gabriel said.

While the relationship is good for Keoni, Gabriel said it has been surprisingly rewarding for her as well.

"It makes me feel so much better; letting a child see that people really do care. It makes a world of difference," Gabriel said. "I am hoping for a lifetime friendship with Keoni."

It is such stories that Haymark wants to duplicate throughout the parish. To do so, Big Brothers and Big Sisters will hold the first of three planned orientation meetings for new volunteers Thursday.

"There is no commitment, this is just for information purposes to hopefully familiarize volunteers with our program," Haymark said.

Future orientation meetings will be Feb. 11 and Feb. 25. All the meetings will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the United Way building at 311 W. Vine St., Opelousas.

"In this orientation, potential volunteers will be introduced to the agency's screening process, the steps involved in being matched, as well as what to expect once you have become their Big Brother or Big Sister," Haymark said. "You will learn how you can help to create little moments of big magic for a child in St. Landry or Evangeline Parish."

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Acadiana provides continuous, one-on-one mentoring relationships for children ages six to 15 from primarily low-income, single-parent homes.

"Our mentors are carefully screened adult volunteers — Bigs as we call them — who meet with their Littles on a regular basis for a few hours each month either in our community-based or school-based program," Haymark said.

She said each match commitment is made for a year and can be renewed.

"All of our matches are monitored and supported by our agency staff. We also offer a variety of workshops and events for children in the program, parents of children who are matched and our volunteers," Haymark said.

She said her agency offers two basic programs — one community-based and the other school-based.

In the community-based program, the "Big" and "Little" agree to meet a couple of times each month for a minimum of a year.

The volunteer mentor and child participate in a wide variety of community-based activities that focus on relationship building. Activities may include a trip to the park, library or museum; going on a bike ride or roller skating; watching TV; playing sports; or doing homework together.

"This program offers the flexibility of participation in weekend or after-school or work activities," Haymark said.

In the school-based program, children from elementary and middle schools are match with volunteer mentors who meet with their "Little" once a week for 35-45 minutes throughout the school year.

"These are site-based visits where the Big meets his or her Little at their school. During the match visits, Bigs and Littles have access to all campus facilities and participate in a variety of activities that promote relationship building and academic success," Haymark said.

"These may include shared lunch, library time, goal sharing or reading together. This program offers the flexibility of daytime meetings for volunteers who may not be able to commit to weekend activities," Haymark said.

The Big Brother and Big Sister program has an impressive success rate. National studies have shown that youth involved with Big Brothers or Big Sisters are 46 percent less likely to initiate drug use and 27 percent less likely to initiate alcohol use than their peers.

Such children are one-third less likely to resort to violence and show better academic behavior, attitudes and performance.

Click here for a list of upcoming "Be Big" Orientation dates

Marc Broussard Concert at Grant Street

2009-12-16T13:37:00.000-08:00

Marc Broussard returns to his hometown this holiday season for a special concert benefiting
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana.
Bring your friends and family and join us for a fantastic musical event benefiting a great cause!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Grantstreet Dancehall
Doors open at 7:30 pm. Show starts at 8 pm.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door the evening of the show.
Click here to purchase tickets in advance.
For more information, contact Alyson Haymark at 337.269.0454.

Acadiana Music - Marc gives back
by Cody Daigle
cdaigle@theadvertiser.com

His career has been indefatigable. Since his first album, 2004’s Carencro, gained him a national audience, Marc Broussard has worked his way up the music industry’s ladder, earning a privileged place among Southern-flecked blues rockers.

He has toured with giants — Maroon 5, Dave Matthews Band, Willie Nelson, O.A.R. and Bonnie Raitt, among others. He’s worked with contemporary stars like Leanne Rimes and Sara Bareilles. And he continues to play for ever-growing crowds of fans across the country.

But Broussard’s latest concert in Acadiana has only superficial things in common with the shows that audiences elsewhere cheer through. The songs are there, yes. But his concert Wednesday at Grant Street Dancehall isn’t about career advancement or fan adoration.

It’s all about making a difference.

Marc Broussard returns to Acadiana this week to perform a special one-night benefit concert Dec. 23 at Grant Street Dancehall. The evening opens with a performance by Joe Stark of Sons of William at 8 p.m. Broussard takes the stage at 9 p.m.

The concert was put together as a fundraising venture to support the important one-to-one mentoring programs provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana.
For Broussard, the endeavor is a personal one.

“I was talking to a teacher friend of mine and she was telling about some of the problems they were facing, Broussard said. “And I decided to do something about it. I wanted to mentor some young folks, and yet I had no idea how to go about doing that.”

“So I reached out to Big Brothers Big Sisters.”

The one-on-one mentoring programs offerd by Big Brothers Big Sisters, the staple program that most people associate with the organization, pairs young people between the ages of 6 and 15 from primarily single-parent homes with community volunteers. The volunteers, or “Bigs,” spend one-on-one time with the child at least twice a month for a year.

It’s a program that has changed the lives of thousands of children across the country and has made monumental differences for children in Acadiana.

“A couple of months ago we got a phone call from Marc saying that he wanted to offer his support, in whatever way possible, to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana,” said Alyson Haymark, development director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana. “He has attended some of our Be Big Orientations for potential volunteers to meet the people, learn more about our mentoring program and help us to recruit volunteers.”

“I’m really looking forward to working with them throughout the year,” Broussard said, “as well as in the future. Forever hopefully.”

Broussard’s enthusiasm for what he saw happening at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana, Haymark says, set the ball rolling for the concert.

“The concert evolved from his desire to assist our agency not only with volunteer recruitment and an awareness of our mentoring programs,” Haymark said,” but also with fundraising to support our efforts and serve even more children in the Acadiana area.”

Broussard isn’t alone in advocating the Big Brothers Big Sisters experience. His manager, Ross duPre, was also a Big.

“Volunteering as a Big Brother was such a special experience for me, “duPre said. “I was 23 years old at the time and felt like I was contributing for the first time in my life.

“The impact that you’re able to have on a child by spending a few quality hours a week with them is simply incredible.”

Broussard will be lending his time and talent on Dec. 23 for fans of his music and of the organization’s charitable work in the community. And that generosity is something Broussard hopes gets repaid by those who come out and enjoy the concert.

“If you have four extra hours a month, you should volunteer,” Broussard said. “You can make a difference in a young person’s life. Donate time.”

Aaron and Travis

2009-12-09T11:05:00.000-08:00

Aaron and Travis were matched in the spring of 2001. Aaron was a junior Sports Medicine major at ULL while Travis was an 11 year old student at Alice Boucher elementary. The match was a hit from the start as they had a lot in common. Travis was very intelligent and respectful.

He was also very timid and shy which made him very vulnerable to the negative influences in his neighborhood. Travis’ mother was single and raising to three kids on her own. She desperately wanted her oldest son to be successful and was searching for a positive male role-model.

The two did an array of activities together: playing basketball, video games, eating out, family outings, and attending church. The volunteer felt it was important to deposit seeds of education into his little and allowed him to sit in on a few of his college courses, attend campus events, and meet fraternity brothers. Aaron sponsored and instructed a youth leadership organization called the Junior Kappa League which trained young men in fraternity ideas and morals. Travis enjoyed two years of membership in the organization. His shy demeanor would begin to evolve as the Junior Kappas performed step shows in front of hundreds of college students.

Aaron recalls his little brother’s 12th birthday as monumental. He attended the party and had purchased a used video game as a gift. Later that night, his mentee would call crying feeling very emotional. When asked what was bothering him, young Travis stated, “I called my dad about three times about coming to my party and he never showed. Not only did you come, but you also brought a gift and I just wanted to say, I LOVE YOU!”

The volunteer was overwhelmed with emotions and in his search for the proper response, he simply stated, “I love you to.”

The relationship would not be the same after this point. Travis was officially family and years later would serve as an usher in his big brothers wedding. A few years passed and Aaron was now celebrating the birth of his first son. Now supporting a family and his little brother starting high school, the two would drift apart and eventually loose contact with each other.

Aaron still wanted to work with youth in the limited time he had and volunteered with a local sorority to choreograph the talent show for their bouillon which highlights youth achievements. In 2008, to Aaron’s surprise, one of the accomplishes participants was no other than his little brother. Travis extended and invitation for Aaron and his wife to sit at his table and would not take no for an answer. The volunteer felt honored and attended.

Under the signal of a trumpeter the distinguished young men entered the ball clothed in tuxedos and top hats. As Travis made his grand stroll, an announcer began to list his accomplishments: 3.5 overall high school GPA, graduating 12th in his high school class, receiving varsity letters in football, baseball, soccer, concert band member, member of who’s who amongst high school students, and religious counselor of his local church.

Travis would then list Aaron Williams as the most influential person of his life. Aaron was in disbelief. He could have never imagined that the once shy little boy he met a few years ago, could accomplish so much and that the small amount of time they spent together meant so much.

Aaron was so touched by the experience that he would later return to the agency as an employee.