Big Brothers Big Sisters program expanding

June 14. 2005

LYNSEA GARRISON /Frontiersman reporter

Ron Naclure grew up on a dairy farm in Newport, Vt. He knew everything there was to know about his cows. He herded, milked, treated his cows for diseases and even knew them all by name. But he didn't know how to read.

"Being a farm boy I could get by with just knowing names and phone numbers," he said.

Naclure received his high school diploma by means of a program that accepted rural farm credits. During the school day, he would read a little bit and work some math problems, then he was dismissed and did farm chores for the rest of the day. At that point, Naclure thought he would be a farmer for the rest of his life.

However, in 1970, Naclure left his farm and drove across the country in his Chevy Monte Carlo, a 13-day adventure for the young farmer. His destination was Alaska, where his sister lived and where he planned to pursue work.

Soon enough after, Naclure found himself in a restaurant called The Wagon Wheel, eating a bite and killing some time while he was filling out a job application for a trucking company.

Naclure found himself struggling with the task, as he could only read very little. An older man, someone Naclure thought might have worked at the restaurant, noticed Naclure's frustration and approached him.

"He came up and asked if I needed help," Naclure said.

The man who helped Naclure was a mentor for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. He continued to teach Naclure how to read until Naclure was fully literate.

The two kept in touch for four or five years after that.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a program designed to mentor children and teenagers between 6 and 21 years old, by pairing each participant with an older adult who shares his or her interests.

The program has existed in Anchorage for 30 years, and beginning almost three years ago, it has slowly expanded into the Valley.

"As we're acquiring the resources to do so, we've been trying to expand throughout all regions so that all kids who want a mentor can have one," said Stephanie Berglund, the regional program director.

Naclure, a Palmer resident who owns Coffee Roastery and Deli, said his "big brother" left a lasting impression on him, and, after his positive experience, he hopes to help the program's growth by means of a fund-raiser starting later this month. Naclure will sell a signature coffee for the program to several local coffee shops.

With the purchase of each bag of coffee beans, $5 will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters' expansion to the Palmer-Wasilla area.

"I think this is something that is definitely needed in the Valley," he said. "With our economy and lifestyle today, parents are trying to work all the time and pay off everything. It's more difficult to spend a lot of time with their kids.

"You know, kids just need someone to touch their lives."

Berglund said in the beginning of Big Brothers Big Sisters' expansion process, the program gathered interested community members from the Valley and also received several calls from people who wanted the program in the Palmer-Wasilla area.

Meetings were held soon after to inform the public about the program and develop fund-raisers for expansion.

"We officially began to serve kids this year," Berglund said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has a mobile case worker, Tammy Smith, who works two days a week in the Valley.

Her days and hours aren't set and are meant to be flexible for the convenience of participators in the program, whether they are volunteers, parents or adolescents.

So far, the Mat-Su program has about 20 children enrolled and 10 volunteers.

"The response has really been great," Berglund said. "But we need more volunteers. We hope people will step up and support the program by participating in fund-raising events, volunteering or being a big brother or sister."

Berglund said there are no eligibility requirements for being a big brother or sister, except age, and that volunteers "are willing to make a commitment to a child and spend time with them once a week."

Volunteers may get involved in either the community or school program of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

In the community program, volunteers will be paired with a child, based on his or her interests. The two will spend time together outside school a couple of hours a week.

"They can do whatever activities they enjoy, like fishing, hiking, running errands or washing the car," Berglund said. Volunteers must be at least 19 to participate in the community program.

In the school program, big brothers and sisters meet with children at school for one hour a week. They spend time together using school resources, such as the library, gymnasium or art room.

Volunteers need to be 16 to mentor children in this program. In the future, Big Brothers Big Sisters plans to acquire the resources necessary to expand Smith's position into working full time in the Valley.

Berglund said another goal is to find an office space in the Palmer-Wasilla area by fall. But for now, priorities lie in finding more volunteers.

"Now that the program is up and running, we're looking for men and women, high school students, and other volunteers who can participate in the program," she said.

Naclure said he would support the expansion with his fund-raiser for however long it takes, and hopes the program will continue to grow in Mat-Su.

"Just from my experience, I know this kind of thing leaves a lasting impression," he said. "It's not even the mentoring, it's just someone to lean on."

Lynsea Garrison may be reached at 352-2250.