The Match

By: Rose M. J. Henton

 As a father himself Kevin Stroud is well aware of the ever changing needs of young people.  At a meeting last year he heard Big Brothers Big Sisters needed more mentors, especially men.  (There are typically more young boys on the waitlist than girls.)  “At that meeting it was finally put to me how great the need is in our community for mentors, especially men” said Kevin. The very next day he called Big Brothers Big Sisters and began the volunteer process.  

Kevin entered the school based mentoring program where a mentor spends an hour each week with a child at their school.  Kevin was matched with a middle school student, Lorenzo.   Lorenzo was no stranger to mentoring; he had a mentor at Cannon School.  Lorenzo states, “now in middle school Kevin and I do different things.” “Kevin encourages me to read more and he shares his stories”.  “I like his stories.”  One interest Kevin and Lorenzo share is vehicles.  They have read about planes and other vehicles.  Then Kevin had an idea, “why just only read, let’s build models.”  That’s what the pair has done.  While they read a book on airplanes they built a model Corsair airplane.  Lorenzo said, “we looked up information on the computer about the airplane”.  They have built models of a hummer and tanks as well.

When asked what he learned most about mentoring Kevin said, “it takes a while to build rapport”. “A person must make a commitment and realize it will take a while to gain rapport”.  He said it helps that “Lorenzo is such a polite young man”.  Kevin is still concerned about the other children on the waitlist.  He said “with just a small amount of time, the impact is so great”.  Lorenzo agreed, “my grades have improved especially in math and science”.  Kevin said he has tried to impart into Lorenzo “it takes hard work to get rewards”.  Lorenzo plans to become a police officer or enter into the military.  He said, “I got the idea to enter law enforcement or the army from my mom and my aunt who also encourage me”. 

Kevin hopes others will mentor, especially men.  He is the founder and owner of Nexlan, a mid-tier accounting software business and keeps a very busy schedule.  He said, “an hour a week to help a child is very important.”

January is National Mentoring Month and this years theme is, “Expand Your Universe – Mentor a Child”.  National Mentoring Month is the time each year, when our nation spotlights the importance of mentors and the need for every child to have a caring adult in his or her life.  When you serve as a mentor, you enrich your own life as much as you do the life of a child.

In Vermilion County we challenge individuals, businesses and organizations to be a part of mentoring by becoming a mentor, partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Vermilion County to meet the needs of children who need a mentor, talk to others about mentoring, become a part of the Bowl For Kids’ Sake planning committee, serve our community on MLK Day of Service by deciding to become a mentor, make a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters.  These are ways you can be sure you are making an investment in the youth of our community.  For this investment you will receive a higher graduation rate, more youth attending and graduating college, children who see a future for the first time in their lives and a community that grows stronger every day. 

To find our more about how you can invest in Vermilion County’s future join us at bbbsvc.org or call 217-446-6601.  

 Rose M. J. Henton is Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Vermilion County.  “The Match” is a partnership between the Commercial News and BBBS of Vermilion County.  “The Match” will focus on a Big Brother or Big Sister match each week through out January, National Mentoring Month.   To find out how you can become a mentor call 217-446-6601.