fostering the bonds of SISTERHOOD

fostering the bonds of SISTERHOOD 

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers MAKING A CONNECTION—Foster youths Lucy and Kacee, both 16 and of Camarillo, participate n the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County program as both big and little sisters. The program allows the pair to not only volunteer for a worthy cause, but also to build meaningful relationships.

Foster girls living in a group home on a quiet street in Camarillo are being encouraged to sign up for a mentor through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County.

A Big Sister means "someone to love me," said 16yearold Kacee, who was matched 14 months ago. "She's like really fun; I just love to be around her."

Kacee and her Big Sister get together at least twice a month. Sometimes they go bowling, to the movies or ice skating, but more often they simply spend time with each other.

"She's someone I can talk to," Kacee said. "I love her. I think she's the best Big Sister."

Lucy, who's also 16, was matched in August with a professional chef who's outgoing and likes to rock climb.

"I might not have a real family, but I have something special," said Lucy, who, like Kacee, has lived in group homes since the age of 12. "As group home kids . . . we don't always have someone there to love us and take care of us. We just usually have ourselves."

Inspired by their mentors, Lucy and Kacee themselves became Big Sisters two months ago after learning about a Big Brothers Big Sisters' program that matches teenage mentors with young children.

Big Brothers Big Sisters started the School-Based Mentoring program in 1990 and operates it through established after-school programs, the YMCA or Boys & Girls clubs in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Oxnard, Santa Paula and Fillmore. In Camarillo, the program is available through the Boys & Girls Club, and La Mariposa and Tierra Linda elementary schools.

Last year, 400 teenagers throughout the county spent 12,000 volunteer hours through the program with their Little Brothers or Sisters, said Big Brothers Big Sisters spokesperson Terri Felix.

"It's pretty impressive," she said.

Teenagers are trained in how to be mentors and matched with up to two elementary school-age children. Being a mentor often boosts the teen's self-esteem, and, in an effort to be a good role model, some teens have improved their grades, Felix said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters can't afford to run the program in all 10 cities in Ventura County because it costs $10,000 a year per site to run, Felix said. The nonprofit wants to expand the program, however, and is looking for corporate sponsors and community donations.

Lucy and Kacee, who have two Little Sisters each, said they were motivated to become Big Sisters by the warm feelings they have for their mentors— they wanted someone to feel about them as they do about their Big Sisters. They spend an afternoon a week with their Little Sisters at Tierra Linda Elementary—coloring, playing dodge ball or participating in some other activity.

"That makes me feel happy," Lucy said, "because I feel like I'm helping somebody I love."

"I love to be with them," Kacee said.

Miki McRee, administrator for the Camarillo group home, said Lucy and Kacee's experiences as mentors have stirred two other girls in the home to become Big Sisters.

"They've grown so much," McRee said of Lucy and Kacee, adding that the girls' have matured by caring for someone else. "They're definitely happier."

For more information, call Terri Felix of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County at (805) 484-2282, ext. 23.