SWEETWATER COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters program (BBBS) partnered with the Rock Springs Chamber Young and Professionals group (YAP) and Rocky Mountain Power Foundation (RMP) to get their Littles ready for the coming school year. RMP and YAP each contributed funds to make sure that all the young people in the BBBS program had the school supplies they needed.
“We do school supply shopping different than most groups.” Said BBBS Program Director Melinda Baas. “Because BBBS focuses on providing young people with a mentor to give them guidance and support we incorporated that idea into the shopping trip.” Baas explained that BBBS does not just buy the supplies for the young people but involves them in the process. Each young person is given a budget, a shopping list and an adult volunteer before heading on their shopping trip.
“BBBS came up with the idea last year and YAP provided a few volunteers to help shop with the kids.” Said Baas. “This year YAP was able to provide eight volunteers and contributed additional funds so each young person had more in their budget for supplies. It was fun to watch the volunteers in the check-out line because they were so excited when their young person came in at budget.” BBBS believes that everyday activities can be a chance to not only learn important skills, but help build new relationships that provide support for young people as they become adults.
YAP is a Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce program. “It was fun and challenging helping the kids find everything they needed on their lists and stay within the budget; I can’t wait to help them again next year. Hopefully the program can continue to grow to better serve additional children in BBBS!” Says Amanda Stearns, YAP board member and manager of the local Lincare office.
The primary source of funding for this project is through a grant from the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation. RMP has supported the BBBS school supply shopping program for the last two years and has supported BBBS for the past five years. “Rocky Mountain Power Foundation is pleased to support local youth in our community through YWCA’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program. When our youth succeed, our communities succeed,” said Craig Nelson, Rocky Mountain Power customer and community manager.
About YAP
YAP is for people who live or work in Sweetwater County between the ages of 21-40 who are looking for opportunities to get more involved in our community or learn about the various events and activities available in the area. For more information or to join the group, please contact the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce.
About Rocky Mountain Power Foundation
The Rocky Mountain Power Foundation is part of the PacifiCorp Foundation, one of the largest utility-endowed foundations in the United States. The foundation was created in 1988 by PacifiCorp, an electric utility serving 1.8 million customers in six Western states as Rocky Mountain Power (Utah, Wyoming and Idaho) and Pacific Power (Oregon, Washington and California). The foundations’ mission, through charitable investments, is to support the growth and vitality of the communities served by Rocky Mountain Power and Pacific Power. For more information, visit www.rockymountainpower.net/foundation.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sister has been serving Sweetwater County since 1983 and is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. BBBS develops and maintains long-term mentoring friendships between a screened adult volunteer and young people aged 6-16. Any young person who is in need of an additional, positive role model in their lives is eligible for the program. For more information contact BBBS through their Facebook page or by calling 307-352-6635.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a Community Partner with United Way of Sweetwater County.
