How often do you get an opportunity to lend a helping hand and change a child’s life forever?  And it could be something as simple as dropping over to watch TV, an occasional trip to the mall or just being there for advice one hour a week.

Growing up is difficult enough even with the support of nurturing parents, but a shocking number of children in Fannin County are trying to meet those challenges with less than an ideal support system 

An estimated 800 children in Fannin County have a parent in jail.

That’s why mentors are being recruited from across Fannin County to help make a profound difference in the life of kids that don’t have the benefit of a “typical” family structure comprised of mom, dad and kids.

Over the next three years, 100 adults in Fannin County will get a chance to brighten a child’s future, thanks to a $186,000 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant awarded to Texas A&M University-Commerce.

According to statistics provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters, just having a caring mentor means a child is 52% less likely to skip school, 46% less likely to start using drugs, 27% less likely to start drinking, less likely to lie to their parents and more likely to have better relationships with peers.

Dr. Brenda Moore, A&M-Commerce social work department head, and Dr. Melinda Schlager, sociology and criminal justice faculty, will coordinate a program of community and A&M-Commerce student and faculty volunteers who will mentor the children. A&M-Commerce is contracting with Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas to recruit, screen, and train the volunteer mentors.

“The mentors will take the children to the park, store, bake cookies with them, or just spend time with them,” Moore said.

Mentors are asked to spend one hour each week with the youngster, although the program is flexible enough to allow exceptions.  For example some mentor-mentee matches may choose to meet twice a month for two-hour periods each time.

The need is great and eight children have already filled out an application to be a part of this program.  The grant, one of only four new projects funded in Texas, provides for 25 children ages 4-18 to be mentored for a year. The grant is for three years.

“This is a university and community partnership, which helped us get funded,” Moore said.

A&M-Commerce sorority and fraternity students and students in other groups are being contacted to be mentors.

In Bonham, the BFF Committee (Building For Futures) has been actually developing this proposal and began meeting this past summer. They received notification of the grant award October 1.  The BFF Committee consists of representatives from key local organizations and are actively involved in helping recruit eligible children and adult mentors. 

Building For Futures Committee - Back row (left to right): Kenny Karl, Fannin County Jail; Amy Owens, Bonham Housing Authority; Barbara Reeves, Creative Arts Center; Dana Nowlin, MSW Intern from TAMU-C; Liz Talbert, First United Methodist Church; Sandy Hood, CASA. Front row: Roy Oates, Fannin County Jail; Michelle Griffeth, Bonham ISD Counselor; Brenda Moore, TAMU-C Social Work Dept and Project Director; Joyce McGee, CASA; Becky Williams, Fannin Co. Family Crisis Center. Not pictured: Emily Neeley, Big Brothers Big Sisters; Ann Boehmer, BISD and KOOL After School; Mary Jane Neal, BISD

Emily Neeley, Regional Executive Director Big Brothers Big Sisters, will make a presentation to the Bonham Rotary Club this week.

The BFF Committee has slated a Feb. 26 Kick-Off Luncheon at the Family Life Center from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Men are expected to be the most difficult group to recruit.

If you would like more information about this program or if you would like to schedule a speaker to meet with your church, service organization or group, contact Emily Neeley at eneeley@bbbstx.org or call 1-888-887-2447 ext. 503.