SIDNEY, OH – The Pearls & Ties Program kicked off the 6th grade program on September 19th aiming to continue to plant seeds of success in the young people it serves at Sidney Middle School. The group of community volunteers and esteemed speakers are eager to inspire the youth to become positive role models in the community by leading by example and sharing their stories with them during the 2nd phase of the 2-year program.

The program’s foundation focused on building character, instilling core values, and fostering positive relationships last year during the 5th grade program where participating youth engaged in activities that promote teamwork, leadership and self-discovery. This year during the 6th grade program the returning youth will learn the importance of community. Tom Clark, a well-known community member and founder of Pearls and Ties, lined up Mike and Mike as the guest speakers for the program kickoff. Mike Carter and Mike Clark, both with ties to Sidney shared with the youth the importance of community and what it means to give back.

Mike Carter, senior advisor to the president and chief diversity officer of Sinclair College, engaged the youth by offing them to touch, feel, and pose for pictures showcasing his unique baseball photos, jersey and hat collection while explaining the history of his African American Baseball collection and his passion for it. He asked students if they knew who Jackie Robinson was and explained how he broke the color barrier in baseball. He also emphasized the strengths found in our differences, encouraging the youth to embrace their unique backgrounds as assets that strengthen collaboration between one another and community growth.

Mike Clark, a cancer survivor, shared his remarkable journey of volunteering, highlighting his efforts to help raise over $4 million for lymphoma cancer research. His story showed students how community service can open doors to new experiences, including advocating for cancer funding in Washington D.C. Clark’s passion for helping others resonated with the students, underscoring the profound impact of giving back.

“The Pearls & Ties program is designed not only to educate but to empower young people to take action in their communities. Through the Middle Schoolers On The Move initiative, participants will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on volunteering, strengthening the lessons learned and creating a commitment to community service.” said Tom Clark. During October the 6th Grade Pearl and Ties Program participants will get to experience what it feels like to give back to their community be hosting a mini carnival for the residents at Dorothy Love and Sidney Manor.

“The youth experiences provided throughout the program helps to create a supportive network beyond the school walls. The program actively engages with the community by partnering with local businesses, involves parents and local leaders who are eager to support the program through volunteerism and offerings of monetary and in-kind donations.” says April Brubaker, Executive Director for Big Brother’s Big Sisters. In addition, Brubaker also shared with the youth that it was giving community members and area businesses that provided the funds to supply the pearls, ties, shirts, activities, and lunches for each session. It is the volunteers who donate their time and skills to the program that makes the pearls and ties program possible brining it full circle as to why giving back is vital to a community.

Tom Clark, remarked, “Pearls and Ties continues to plant seeds in the minds and souls of middle schoolers. We encourage you to continue to watch the growth of the young leaders we are helping mold that we call “Middle Schoolers on The Move.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County is excited to launch lunch buddies program

​SHELBY COUNTY - As the new school year kicks off, we’re partnering with Ansonia, Greenville, Jackson Center, Sidney, Tri-Village, and Versailles school districts to bring our Lunch Buddies Program to life. We’re here to encourage students to bring their A-game and activate their learning mode!

What is The Lunch Buddies Program?
The Lunch Buddies Program is a mentoring initiative designed to provide children with an additional positive role model. Teachers and parents help identify students who would benefit from this program. BBBS then matches these students (LITTLES) with youth (ages 13-18) or adult volunteers (BIGS) who meet with them weekly or on a bi-weekly basis during lunch or within the school day. During these visits, matches play games, get to know each other, and build a supportive relationship. As the bond develops, the Big serves as a role model, offering guidance, encouragement, and assistance with learning.

What Are the Benefits?
For Littles:

• Positive school experience
• Improved attendance, attitudes, and behavior
• Academic enrichment and positive relationships

For Bigs:

• Rewarding experience seeing the impact of your time
• Personal growth and fulfillment
• Development of leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Opportunities for new connections, scholarships, and recommendation letters

“I am so glad that I finally shoved my doubts aside and became a Big and was part of a
beautiful and impactful program during my senior year. I was paired with two Littles, both young girls. I absolutely adored the Littles and always looked forward to our weekly meetings, and I know they felt the same way. When I ran into them in the halls their faces would light up, they would instantly run up to me and share any exciting news they had. It's safe to say we grew a close bond, I had seen them grow so much, they gained so much confidence and they are just truly growing into brilliant young ladies. As a high school Big, I think the Littles found me easy to approach and talk with. I know the Lunch Buddies program has many positive outcomes, but the benefits of mentoring are better than I ever could have imagined. According to a study conducted in 2021, Littles are less likely to have youth arrest or reports of substance abuse compared to their peers. The statistics that shocked me the most was how mentoring affects a Littles' school performance; they are less likely to experience discipline from teachers, skip less days of school, have a higher interest in school, and strive to graduate. Mentoring also helps raise Littles' social skills; they have more self-control and are more likely to stand up for themselves. The Littles are not the only ones impacted by mentoring. I have also grown as a person. Mentoring has helped me learn how to step out of my comfort zone. I've learned a lot about how to be a mentor and that the best mentors are reliable and compassionate. Programs like Big Brother Big Sisters are so essential for communities as a whole for both the Bigs and Littles relationships face their own growth and reap a bounty of benefits. By volunteering as a mentor, I had the opportunity to contribute to this positive cycle, making a significant difference in young lives.” said, a 2023 senior mentor.

How to Become a Big
Interested in becoming a Big volunteer? Applications are available in the participating school districts’ offices, guidance counselors’ offices, or online at bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org. Whether you’re an adult, high school student, College Credit Plus student, or junior high student, you can make a difference by aligning your availability with the school district’s program schedule.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County
We are a nonprofit dedicated to providing professionally supported mentorship through our Site-Based Lunch Buddies and Community-Based Matches. Our mentoring relationships support the critical social and emotional development needed to build resilience and promote mental well-being.

Get Involved
Invest in a child’s future and help ignite, empower, and defend their potential. To learn more, visit our website at bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org or contact April Brubaker, Executive Director, at [email protected] or (937) 492-7611.

​Join us in making a lasting impact!