In a perfect world, this is how my project would end. I set up my appointment with my administration, I have my presentation ready, and I have nerves of steal. I walk in with a confident attitude and I start my presentation. They will have the concerns that I have listed in last weeks post so I can answer right away. Agreeing it would be a good idea, but only if I can find an adult sponsor that works at the school. I went to the activities director, who takes care of all of the sports and after school activities. Since I wanted to use the athletes of the fall sports as the ‘bigs’, and he organized all of their events. He would be able to help with the organzation of all of it, and he’s also super easy to talk to for me because well he is my dad. Accepting my offer, I will then start with contacting the coaches of the fall athletes, getting them to accept shouldn’t be to hard since it isn’t much work for them. They would then get in contact with their athletes for a meeting, that I will be talking at. After they all sign-up I will hopfully have enough to pair each ‘little’ with one ‘big.’ Printing and sending out the sign-up sheet, with a due date that will give me enough time to get prepared. While waiting for the day I hope I have ‘littles’ who are excited for the day. The day will come and the day will go perfect, in a perfect world.

This passion project is a ‘go’. I have thought of things I need to work towards to complete this goal. Some road blocks like “How am I gonna make this work or is this gonna work?” But I have also thought about the joy it will bring the ‘littles’ as well as the ‘bigs’. That is what is helping me to keep going through with the project. First of all I need to get the administration to back me up so I have to set up a meeting and need to ask if this is something that can even be done. Hoping that meeting goes well, I will talk to coaches from the fall sports and see if I can get this backed up by them. This is the best case scenario, things do not always go like that and I need to be prepared for everything. Like, what are the plans for this day? So, I was going to have various activities throughout both gyms. Like games or bored games or something that would be fun for the little kids but enough to keep the big kids entertained. While they’re all playing there would be a brake for snacks and a water break. Also some of the other kids that have been through the meetings with the administration have had a trouble with not having a sponsors beforehand so with that finding a sponsor needs to be done before the meeting. How will we get kids signed up? I will make up a flyer and send it home with all of the kids pre-school through first grade. On the flyer will be what we are doing and contact information to sign-up the kids beforehand. I will set up a deadline, so we know how many to plan for. With the sign-up form I will ask for contact information of the parents, so that way if anything were to happen we can get in contact of the parents. This is not going to be an easy process but I think the end result is going to be worth it. According to the Big Brother Big Sister website, the ages 10-16 have shown a huge decrease in the use of drugs anad alcohol and less violent behavior for those who are living in low income housing or single-parent houses. They stratigacally pick the mentor after careful consideration. The program makes sure it is safe for mentor as well as mentee. I have also thought about the struggle of making sure I chose the right ‘big’ for the right ‘little.’ I think that asking the parent to tell us a little bit about the child, will make this process a little easier. The BBBS found a 46% of the litles are less likely to use drugs, 27% less likely to use alcholo, 52% less likely to skip school, 37% less likely to skip a class, and 33% less likely to become violent in a situatiion. This research and data was found in 2018, in that same year they found that students were more confident in their schoolwork and were getting along with their families more. 80% of the kids that were serveyed in this research, live in a proverty neighberhood, and get free lunches. The volunteres ranged from younger then 18 and some older than 60. All of this is possible because, someone voluntered to help a kid who needed that influnce in their life.

Mitchell, Jessica “2018 Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Annual Impact Report.” bbbs.org. Big Brothers  Big Sisters of Ameriaca. updated 2020. 25 Feb. 2020.

“Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success.” – Josh Shipp. Most have heard of the Big Brothers Big Sister Program. This program helps the “littles” that don’t have someone to look up, be paired with a “big” that will be there to help the child reach high achievements and put them less likely to get into risky behavior. In the elementary we have children that are the oldest or an only child. They do not have someone to look up too and create that spacial bond. Creating this program, will hopefully increase the chance for them to be the older sibling their younger siblings or friends need.

 I was fortunate enough to grow up with an older sibling, who is still someone I look up to and someone I go to for advice. But my older brother did not have someone to show him the ropes. He did not have that sibling bond with someone and he expressed that a lot growing up. Until he met his buddy Bryan Cox. Bryan was someone who Austin looked too for advice and for help. Recently, Bryan passed away in an accident but that made Austin, Cole, and I’s relationship stronger. He knows how to help us through the stuff that Bryan helped him through. Even after his passing Austin still looks to Bryan for advice, he thinks what would Bryan say through this rough time. This story was a way for me to say that these relationships are life-long, and beyond.  

 I have a passion for working with little kids. I have aided in the pre-school class for a five year now and the joy they have brought me is never-ending. They find the smallest things enjoyable and they are friends with anyone and everyone. Through this project I think they will not only be learning random things but I think we can learn a few things from them. Like ‘baby steps are still steps’ and ‘kindness is the best.’ Throughout the next couple of weeks I will be showing you guys the progress. Including the two steps forward and those one step backs.

“Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.” – Unknown

My name is Ashlynn, and this is a little bit about me. I grew up with a mom and dad who support me through my best and worst moments, and of course my older brother (Austin) and my younger brother (Cole.) Our family has always been very close, we support eachother through our rough moments, and celebrate the best.

My Passion Project.

I am sophmore in high school, and I am taking an english course that is asking us to complete a passion project. A passion project, is taking a problem in the society we live in, and come up with a way to solve it, but it has to be something you are passionate about. I chose the Big Brother Big Sister program because, I love working with little kids.

Join me on this adventure.