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Show 4- NEWS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER THE VOICE OF DIXIE STATE COLLEGE OF UTAH - DIXIE SUN Largest mentoring organization seeks new volunteers BY JENNIFER BORGET Dixie Sun Staff Writer Big Brothers Big Sisters is a mentoring program in St George with volunteer oppor tunit les for Dixie State College students According to the website bbbsu org, Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest youl h mentoring organisation m the United States, matching caring adults with children m relationships e CENTER continued from page 1 week at HOPE When shes not counseling with clients, she s working on the comput er and helping out in other ai eas Woi d is starting to get out (about the clinic), Young said We ai e getting mloi mation into an?a doctoi s offices so people know we are hei e Young and the other coun seloi s pi o ide clients w ilh detailed mfoi mation regard mg the three options a woman faces w hen dealing with an unplanned pregnancy abor tion and aboi tion procedure risks, adoption and adoption refei rals, and pai enting We do not refer for abor tions Gei ber said But we do explain the abortion proce-duie- s at the various stages of pi egnancy and the risks involved so that women can make an informed, educated decision Other goods and services provided include maternity clothes, baby items and physi A big brother or big sister (Bigs) is an adult volunteer who acts as a role model to a little brother" or little sister (Littles) who are youths years old They come to Big Brothers Big Sisters either through a parent, guardian or the Big Brothers Big Sisters In Schools program through the recommendation of a teacher Littles are from single and homes, and are from a variety of socioeco nomic backgrounds The start of a match begins when a parent, guardian or teacher believes a child could benefit from the presence of an addi tional caring adult m his or her life The parent or guardian gives permission for the child to participate Smce Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non profit orgam zation, this is a free service for the parents According to the homepage, funding for Big cian referrals Clients receive counseling and support for the first year after their baby is born Information is also provid ed i egarding abstinence edu cation, sexually transmitted diseases, heaithv relation ships fetal development, pro-g-i ams to help low' income them for the long haul Gerber said Their need may not be in the area of pregnan cy We try to share the love of God with each person who comes m The center wall be providing Post Abortion Counseling and Education classes in January PACE is a program designed for those experienc mg various symptoms as a result of abortion, Gerber 8 two-pare- t i 354 E. 600 S., 203 St George (across from the Women's Hospital) (435) 652-834- Hours: 3 Mon-Thu- Wed 1 1 to 5 p m. to 7 p.m families with food items, and other local agencies that can provide goods and services Not all of HOPES clients need help with pregnancy Many who come in for a pregnancy test turn out not to be pregnant We want our clients to know that we are here for said PACE ls an 1 1 Brothers Big Sisters comes from a variety of sources including individuals, federal, state and local government, foundations, and corporations Students who become volunteers will be matched with children who have similar interests A tremendous amount of diligence goes not only into the creation of the match, but also to its support In the community program, parents or guardians apply to the program for their child to be matched with a Big" Potential Big Brothers and Big Sisters are screened for the role According to the website, screening includes a personal interview by a trained staff member and criminal background and reference checks In community based programs, a home assessment is also made The child and his or her parents meet with the Big and, if the parent gives consent, a match is made During the course of the match, a trained caseworker maintains contact with the match, oversees its development, and offers guidance, if needed There are two different ways that Bigs and Littles can interact community based In the community-and based program. Bigs and Littles are matched by trained professionals and spend time on activities they jointly select, site-base- d such as attending sporting events, going out for ice cr and other everyday fun ac ties Big Brothers Big Sister also offers pro grams where supervised n ings occur between Bigs a Littles at a dedicated site i ally a school At Big Broth Big Sisters In Schools pro gram, for instance, Bigs ar Littles meet regularly at thi school where they can ha lunch together, play sports the gym, or use the compii m the library Strict screening of volur teers occurs for both pro grams and both involve or mg support from trained fessionals According to th website, Big Brothers Big Sisters In Schools Prograr the fastest growing progra within the Big Brothers Bi Sisters organization In some 90,000 youths were served through this prog Cami Cox, Amencorps Vista volunteer and emplc of Big Brothers Big Sister said she enjoys working Big Brothers Big Sisters We have so many chile on the waiting list waiting Big Brother or Big Sister site-base- d 2 fc said We especially need more Big Brothers If a student is interestec becoming a volunteer or mg out more information or vis tact Cox at bbbsu org 986-977- 6 v i? week pro- gram designed to bring togeth er women wrho are struggling wath their decision to abort them babies HOPE is funded by dona tions received from individuals, businesses, clubs and churches Most donations come in the form of monthly pledges, Gei ber said, but they also e donations and receive some donations of goods and services A fundraising ban quet is planned for March, and plans are underway for a benefit golf tournament later next year i V. one-tim- Shannon Gerber, right, pregnancy center director, and Dayna talk about characteristics of an unborn child. 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