BBBS Column: Clemens Finds Rewards With Program
August 23, 2018 at 7:20 p.m.
By Kara Jaurique-
It was 2012 and Gordy Clemens was at a Men Following Christ meeting, and their program featured Big Brothers Big Sisters Northeast Indiana.
When BBBS presents to the community, it often includes a brief history of the organization and an amazing video of a match story is shared. Some of the videos are funny and make you laugh, some tell a story you may be able to relate to. Then there are the match stories that really pull at your heart strings, and make you think. This is what happened to Gordy.
Like many, Gordy wasn’t sure he could make the time commitment, but felt strongly about wanting to help. He signed up to be a Big in the Site-Based Program, also referred to as our School Buddy program. This simply meant as a Big, he would meet his Little at his school once a week, and have lunch together. Every one eats lunch, right? This seemed pretty easy. Not a huge commitment.
But Gordy was still nervous. He said “what if he doesn’t like an old man like me?” For two years, Gordy and his Little had lunch together, often playing games, and Gordy fell in love with Josh. The day came when they both felt it was time to transition into the Community-Based Program. This would allow Gordy and Josh to spend time together outside of school, enjoying activities like going to a movie, a sporting event or just hanging out doing the things they both enjoyed. Gordy said “I don’t have a lot of financial resources, but we got gifts from friends to go do fun stuff!”
Gordy grew up in a large, happy two-parent family. He was child number nine of 10 siblings and his family was close.
He felt motivated to mentor a child and desired to support a child who was in need. Over the years, little brother Josh has spent time with Gordy’s wife, Dana, and their four grown children.
“Josh fits in very well and is definitely an extension of our family” Gordy said, “My wife is an excellent sewer, and has helped Josh sew several of his jerseys.”
When asked “How would you describe your relationship with your Little Brother?” Gordy says, “Josh is practically a son to me! I care for him deeply and I want so bad to be a positive influence and role model to him.”
BBBS needs volunteers. Right now there are approximately 500 children waiting to be matched with their Big, and 70 percent of those are boys ranging in age from 7 to 12. Statistics show “with a Big, 71 percent of Littles report improved academic performance” and “with a Big, Littles are 75 percent more likely to graduate”.
When I asked Gordy “If you could say one thing that would inspire others to sign up to volunteer or donate, what would you say?”
His reply was such, that I could hear the smile in his voice, “Wow (sigh), I tell my friends how rewarding it is, and the blessing they will receive is 10 times more that you can imagine.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a nonprofit organization that serves children in 12 Northeast Indiana and Southern Michigan counties, including Kosciusko County. BBBS’s mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported one to one relationships with measurable impact.
If you’d like to be a Big, like Gordy Clemens, or if you’re a business owner who would like BBBS to come and share what BBBS does with your employees, and how you can get involved, please call 260-456-1600 or visit bbbsnei.org.
It was 2012 and Gordy Clemens was at a Men Following Christ meeting, and their program featured Big Brothers Big Sisters Northeast Indiana.
When BBBS presents to the community, it often includes a brief history of the organization and an amazing video of a match story is shared. Some of the videos are funny and make you laugh, some tell a story you may be able to relate to. Then there are the match stories that really pull at your heart strings, and make you think. This is what happened to Gordy.
Like many, Gordy wasn’t sure he could make the time commitment, but felt strongly about wanting to help. He signed up to be a Big in the Site-Based Program, also referred to as our School Buddy program. This simply meant as a Big, he would meet his Little at his school once a week, and have lunch together. Every one eats lunch, right? This seemed pretty easy. Not a huge commitment.
But Gordy was still nervous. He said “what if he doesn’t like an old man like me?” For two years, Gordy and his Little had lunch together, often playing games, and Gordy fell in love with Josh. The day came when they both felt it was time to transition into the Community-Based Program. This would allow Gordy and Josh to spend time together outside of school, enjoying activities like going to a movie, a sporting event or just hanging out doing the things they both enjoyed. Gordy said “I don’t have a lot of financial resources, but we got gifts from friends to go do fun stuff!”
Gordy grew up in a large, happy two-parent family. He was child number nine of 10 siblings and his family was close.
He felt motivated to mentor a child and desired to support a child who was in need. Over the years, little brother Josh has spent time with Gordy’s wife, Dana, and their four grown children.
“Josh fits in very well and is definitely an extension of our family” Gordy said, “My wife is an excellent sewer, and has helped Josh sew several of his jerseys.”
When asked “How would you describe your relationship with your Little Brother?” Gordy says, “Josh is practically a son to me! I care for him deeply and I want so bad to be a positive influence and role model to him.”
BBBS needs volunteers. Right now there are approximately 500 children waiting to be matched with their Big, and 70 percent of those are boys ranging in age from 7 to 12. Statistics show “with a Big, 71 percent of Littles report improved academic performance” and “with a Big, Littles are 75 percent more likely to graduate”.
When I asked Gordy “If you could say one thing that would inspire others to sign up to volunteer or donate, what would you say?”
His reply was such, that I could hear the smile in his voice, “Wow (sigh), I tell my friends how rewarding it is, and the blessing they will receive is 10 times more that you can imagine.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a nonprofit organization that serves children in 12 Northeast Indiana and Southern Michigan counties, including Kosciusko County. BBBS’s mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported one to one relationships with measurable impact.
If you’d like to be a Big, like Gordy Clemens, or if you’re a business owner who would like BBBS to come and share what BBBS does with your employees, and how you can get involved, please call 260-456-1600 or visit bbbsnei.org.
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