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Sigler has been volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) for a year and a half. "I first saw it as an opportunity to help out a child who might be going through a difficult situation," says Sigler, "And he just needed a friend to help guide him in the right direction."
To Isaac, Sigler was such a good friend that the Greater Cincinnati chapter took notice. She understood the dedication and responsibility she would need to bring to the table in order to make the most of her lunchtime visits with Isaac. Each week, she and other "Bigs" visited their "Littles" at Corryville Catholic Elementary School. "Alaina is the Big who brings the activities that all of the other Bigs want to copy," says Debbie Mollette, the school-based matches coordinator for BBBS.
An early childhood education major, Sigler knows this experience will also help prepare her for a teaching career. Patience, she says, will be one of the most important carryover lessons from BBBS. Without patience, "any hope for that child to learn material will dwindle away because not all children learn at the same rate," Sigler says.
During her first year with BBBS, Sigler received a challenging Little Sister who didn't seem very enthusiastic about the program. "One experience should not stop me from guiding another child into a more beneficial environment," says Sigler brightly. This year turned out much better. "I received a fun, caring, funny and sweet little brother," she says. "I am very glad that I made the choice to stay with the program."
No doubt, so is Isaac.
LINKS:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati
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