Anna and Rachael were brought together in November 2006 by North Coast Big Brothers, Big Sisters. The non-profit organization’s Humboldt County chapter was founded in 1969 and has served more than 3,500 children since its inception. Anna and Rachael were recently named the 2008 “Match of the Year” by the local chapter.
After hearing a presentation about the Big Sister program in one of her Humboldt State classes, Anna became interested in getting involved. Rachael, whose siblings are older and live away from home, was already involved with the organization before meeting Anna and was a little apprehensive.
“I had a match previously and that person ditched me completely,” Rachael says. “So, I was kind of paranoid about another match. But the night Anna and I first met we played two games of pool and talked and got along really well.”
From the start, Anna, a Geography major, saw similarities between herself and Rachael that made her think the two would be a good match. After spending a short amount of time together, Anna and Rachael soon discovered they shared a passion for cooking.
“One of the things I really wanted to do with Rachael was to explore a better diet,” Anna says. “We started by looking in the cookbook and saying ‘what do they eat in India?’ Then we’d go to the store and buy all the ingredients and cook it, and she loved it, she was totally into it. All of these things she thought she hated like squash and eggplant she started to like so that was huge for us at the beginning.”
Since those early days of their friendship, Anna and Rachael have continued to spend time together and aid in each other’s personal development.
“I try a shotgun approach,” Anna says. “Let’s just throw it out there and see if she is drawn to something. So we’ve been going to see free art galleries and other stuff that is non-consumer based. I don’t want us to get together and go to the mall or go shopping. I’d rather have us go for a walk or gather shells at the beach and come home and make a wind chime.”
“We went camping for my birthday twice,” Rachael says. “The first time we went to Willow Creek and this year we went to Swimmer’s Delight—a spot on the Van Duzen River off Highway 36. We walked down the creek and found different places to swim, it was pretty cool.”
Aside from enjoying each other’s company and exploring new things, Anna also helps Rachael navigate some of the tribulations of adolescence.
“She’s getting older and more interested in boys, so we sat down and had that talk,” Anna says. “I relayed my personal story and talked to her about the repercussions of sex as far as physically, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually. And her mom was supportive of me talking with her about that, which was helpful.”
As Anna and Rachael have continued building their friendship, their bond has become stronger and more meaningful
“I like the big picture and continuity,” Anna says. “So, I’m definitely into being a part of her life for a long, long time.”
North Coast Big Brothers, Big Sisters are always looking for volunteers, especially males, willing to mentor a young child.
For more information visit their website at www.ncbbbs.org or call (707) 445-4871.