When the last of Paula Rhodes' children left for college, Rhodes, who often had a houseful of her kids' friends, found herself with a lot more time on her hands. As luck would have it, there was a new organization in town that helped fill her empty nest.
As the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of McDonough and Warren counties prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary next month, The Community News Brief is working on stories that reflect the significance of this organization and its impact on local youth and the communities it serves. Rhodes has been a 'Big' since the early days of the organization, and continues to be a 'Big Sister,' as well as a BBBS Board member.
'When Abby left for college, after all the driving around to my kids' activities and having their friends at our house all the time, all of a sudden, there was nothing. I needed something other than just my job and something more to fill my time outside of my time with friends. I felt like I was no longer in touch with the younger generation, so I applied to be a 'Big,'' Rhodes shared. 'It took nine months, but my application was finally approved and I was matched with a fourth-grader around 2001, about a year after the local chapter started.'
Rhodes and Ann (pseudonym to protect the privacy of a former 'Little') were together for about two years before Ann and her mother moved out of town.
'Her parents were divorced, but they were both supportive of Big Brothers, Big Sisters to help Ann following their divorce. I worked really hard to get her involved in activities and took her to a lot of events,' Rhodes recalled. 'She was really interested in being in the band, so I bought her a trumpet. Even after they moved out of town, her mom stayed in touch and let me know that Ann was still playing the trumpet in high school. I had found something she had enjoyed, so I was so happy to hear she had stuck with it.'
Shortly after her first 'Little' left the area, Rhodes was paired with a Macomb youngster, whose circumstances were different from her first 'Little.' Jill (not her real name) had a dysfunctional home life, and it was Rhodes that provided care and comfort for the first grader. Even after Jill was no longer at her mother's home and was moved into a relative's home, it was Rhodes who maintained a constant presence in Jill's life.
'Eventually, however, her relative would no longer let me be involved,' Rhodes said quietly. 'It broke my heart. But about seven years later when she was in high school and having problems at her relative's home, where she was not being cared for, I was the person she and her sister called for help. We picked up again for a while after that, but then she went her own way.'
Since the mid-2000s, Rhodes has been a 'Big' to Skylar (her real name used with permission) with the pair matched up when Skylar was a first grader. Now a sophomore in high school, Rhodes gleefully shared that it's Skylar who will often text her to ask what they're going to do.
'I think Skylar and I have been together longer than anyone in Big Brothers, Big Sisters,' she exclaimed. 'It has been such a great match. Her parents are wonderful and so supportive of the organization. She has helped me as much as I've helped her. It's a win-win for both of us.'
For Rhodes, who is involved as a volunteer with other organizations, BBBS of McDonough and Warren counties is her 'number one organization.' She said seeing so many children's lives improve and change because they have someone who is loyal and treats them well is such a wonderful thing to witness.
'Big Brothers, Big Sisters has given a lot of kids a boost in life and I've watched that happen. And if I think someone would make a good 'Big,' even if I just met them, I encourage them to apply,' Rhodes said. 'And being a 'Big' is a plus for the 'Big' as they have not only the ability to learn from someone from a different generation, they have the opportunity to make a difference in a child's life.
'I have met so many people I wouldn't have met if I wasn't involved with this organization,' she concluded. 'Big Brothers, Big Sisters adds so much to a community's quality of life, across the ages. It's a great thing for everyone involved, the child, the parents, the Big, everyone. This program has a positive impact and makes a real difference.'
