🌟 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭! 🌟
Even though National Volunteer Week (as we like to call it, Volunteer Appreciation Week) was last week, we are continuing to recognize various volunteers at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County and shine a spotlight on the work they are doing to make a BIG impact in the lives of young people and our community, as well as highlight what encouraged them to volunteer with BBBSOC.
We are so grateful to have phenomenal volunteers like Tera Russell! Tera has been a mentor in our PRISM program for approximately a year and is often seen assisting as a volunteer at our fundraising events throughout the year. Tera is an incredible mentor, volunteer, and great person.
We asked Tera if she could answer a few questions for us about being a mentor and board member:
Why did you get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters as a Board Member?
I follow BBBS on Facebook and every Wednesday when they post a bio of a youth on the waitlist, the amount of time they wait for a mentor pushed me to apply. I volunteer with BBBS PRISM program. I chose to become involved as a mentor with PRISM because I lacked adults in my youth that I could relate to as a queer person and this made it difficult for me to navigate my way into the world. So this was an amazing opportunity for me to be that person for another queer youth!
What have been some of the highlights, memorable moments, or impactful experiences you’ve had in your time with BBBS?
They share their artwork with me, they are so talented! It’s great when I get a text with the new piece they’re working on. We share the love of horror and their artwork captures this perfectly!
The staff are also all amazing!!
What would you say to others to encourage them to get involved with BBBS, as a Board Member and/or mentor?
Stop waiting! There’s a youth that could relate to you on the waitlist who has been waiting even longer.
Thank you Tera for taking that first step and applying to be a mentor, realizing that mentorship matters, and helps to build brighter futures!
