For the past 2 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brown County has benefited from the work of individuals enrolled in the AmeriCorps Volunteer In Service To America (VISTA) program. Here are their stories:
Ashley Riojas
My main role as a VISTA with Big Brothers Big Sisters has been to work as the Community Recruiter. I get the chance to be out in our community and recruit potential children and volunteers. I get to see them through the entire process from first inquiry all the way to our match events, which are planned activities that mentors and children attend after they are matched. My role is very important, because I am the first person they meet within our agency. I set the first impression. This is my second VISTA term, and in my time with Big Brothers Big Sisters I have had the privilege to recruit approximately 140 children or “Littles” and approximately 120 volunteers or “Bigs”. As a non-profit organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters requires hard working and dedicated VISTAs who have the time-management skills and flexibility to help support the growth of the agency and by extension the children of Brown County.
Eryn Wilcoxen
My main role as a VISTA with Big Brothers Big Sisters has been as a Match Support Specialist. I stay in close contact with our matches (mentors and mentees), which allows me to watch their friendships grow and see first-hand what a difference our “Bigs” make in the lives of their “Littles”. In my time with Big Brothers Big Sisters, I have had the privilege to introduce approximately 30 “Littles” to their Big Brothers or Sisters.
Catherine Taylor
My main role as a VISTA with Big Brothers Big Sisters has been to work as the Enrollment Specialist. I interview all potential “Bigs”, “Littles”, and parents. This is a crucial part in the process for “Bigs” and “Littles”, and I have found it to be very interesting. It is amazing to see the difference between a child’s attitude when I first interview them and after they have been matched for a time and attend our match events. I am nine months into my one-year term, and have already been able to go through the enrollment process with more than 35 volunteers and 30 children, with more continuing through the enrollment process weekly! Upon beginning my term I was professionally trained and I have continued attending trainings throughout my term.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brown County is currently searching for a VISTA to serve as an Enrollment Specialist. Duties include interviewing potential volunteers, children, and parents, as well as writing assessments based on the interviews. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and good written and verbal skills. VISTA is a volunteer position receiving a living stipend each month. If interested please send resumes to sblackshear@bbbstx.org. For more information about what it means to be a Volunteer In Service To America, please visit www.americorps.gov. If you are interested in volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters as a mentor please visit www.bbbstx.org and click “Volunteering” or call 325-643-5600.
