NORWICH – Chenango County hosts at least one organization not found in any of the counties surrounding it. For the last 30 years, the Big Brother/Big Sister program has devoted itself to developing healthy environments for children in need.
The organization relies entirely volunteers to donate both time and heart in order to run and sponsor the program. In the last three decades, neither has been in short supply. “We currently have a number of kids that are in need of a volunteer, but we have helped and are continuing to help a far larger number,” said program director Lex Supensky.
“We want awareness. People out there should know we are here. Currently there are 34 children waiting for volunteers,” said Advisory Board Chair Suzanne Cleveland, who has been involved with the organization for 16 years.
The program officially started in June 1977 through the efforts of two local police officers, Joachim Liberatore of the Norwich Police and Mr. Neilen of the New York State Bureau for Criminal Investigations, who were concerned about the alarming rates of delinquency, drop outs and the stress facing single-parent families. In 1979, the program was expanded from the City of Norwich to encompass all of Chenango County. In 1992, the services had earned enough merit to be officially affiliated with the national Big Brother/Big Sister foundation.
The current home of the organization can be found at The Place in Norwich. “In the latter 1990s, the economy of Chenango County was struggling due to the closure and move of several large employers. At this same time the need for the services of BB/BS was increasing. These factors impacted the program and forced the executive director and board to look at long-term planning options to keep the program viable,” said Supensky. It was then that they merged with another human services non-profit organization and became a program of The Place.
“There is no ‘typical’ volunteer – many can help. Marital status ... children do not restrict an individual. Having a desire to help is the main concern,” said Supensky. All volunteers must go through a required background check and interview process before being approved.
“Parents are trusting us. To be sure they are safe in a relationship with a volunteer is our responsibility. We sit down with everyone, not just to screen them but to estimate their compatibility with certain personalities. We want kids with similar interest to be paired with adults that will help them develop those interest,” said Cleveland. “In the last 30 years we haven’t had any kind of serious issues with any of our matches,” said Supensky.
Most volunteers meet with their adopted sibling a few times a week, but the organization requires a commitment of at least once every two weeks on a regular basis.
The group’s major fundraiser, the 20th annual Big Brother/Big Sister Bowl-for-Kids-Sake, will be held on Saturday, March 17 at Plaza Lanes in Norwich. All proceeds from the event go directly to serve Chenango County children enrolled in Big Brother/Big Sister mentoring programs. If you would like to participate in this program or would like more information on mentoring a child in need, call 334-3878.