Children of
Promise
Children between the ages of 4-15, who have a parent incarcerated in a state or federal prison, are matched one-to-one with a volunteer mentor. The volunteer spends at least 2 hours per week with their assigned child for a period of at least 1 year. Activities take place outside the child’s home at agreed upon locations such as local parks, museums, and in the volunteer’s home or in the community. The focus is the development of a friendship through shared interest activities, and opportunities.
Molly, a bright, bubbly 8 year old lives with her grandmother and 2-year-old brother in Beacon, New York: Two years ago Molly's grandmother Susan, received a phone call that would change her life. At the age of 50, just when she thought she would be able to focus more on herself now that her children were grown, she got a phone call from a hospital. Her oldest daughter had given birth to a second child and had abandoned him in the hospital. Susan had begun to realized that her elder daughter had also abandoned her first-born child, Molly, at her home, as well.
Susan was faced with two options: take custody of both children or know they would be removed to the foster care system. She had no choice but to take her abandoned grandchildren into her home. She never thought the daughter she raised with good morals and self - respect would become so addicted to drugs that she would leave her own children to fend for themselves.
Community Social Services helped her obtain health insurance for the kids and they even provided some monetary compensation for them, but this didn't make things much better. Her granddaughter was only 8 years old and couldn't understand what happen to mom. All she really understood was that her mommy went into the hospital to have a little a brother and now she could not be with her mother again.
Susan had to find a way to make her granddaughter understand and that what happened was not her fault. She explained to Molly that her mother was not well and was not able to properly take care of them but Susan found it difficult to explain.
Susan is beginning to feel her arthritis and she is sometimes in pain. She began to realize that it might be beneficial for her granddaughter to also have a Big Sister.
During her enrollment into Big Brothers Big Sisters Molly was asked if she could have three wishes, what would they be. She answered to have 1000 puppies, a 1000 kittens and number 3, "...to have a Big Sister." Why a Big Sister she was asked. "I want to have fun. To have someone to show me things and tell me what I can be." Some very adult responses for an eight year old! "What would be the best part about having a Big Sister?", She responded, "I can depend on her and trust her".
Three months ago Molly was matched with her Big Sister, Cathy.
Cathy became involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters because as she said, she "has some extra love to share". She has an older son and is very involved in his life. She made her home a comfortable nurturing environment for him and his friends to gather. Cathy and Molly share a similar love of animals. Cathy has a Great Dane/ Rottweiler mix that is actually bigger than both of them. They love baking, swimming, crafts, hiking, scrapbooking and picnics. Molly and Cathy spend a few hours a week enjoying each other's company doing the activities they both enjoy.
Molly and Cathy are well on their way to developing a strong friendship. Cathy, a wonderful example of strong, caring and successful women is helping Molly to believe in herself. By action and words Cathy is helping to foster her confidence, providing opportunities for her to be a kid and enjoy healthy activities. She is a wonderful role model and a trusted friend. Molly knows that her Big is only a phone call away and keeps Cathy's phone number with the rest of her treasures, in a jewelry box on her dresser. Molly told us that when she grows up she would like to be a police officer or a doctor. Whatever is in store for her, Molly will be better prepared to face the challenges and celebrate her accomplishments because of her Big Sister.   |
