Y-Pals mentor Maureen Famiglietti has made a commitment to her mentee.
While the community mentorship program based out of the Auburn YMCA asks of mentors for a one-year commitment to a child in need, Famiglietti and Domine-que Williams have been going strong for six years.
“For us I think it has been a wonderful opportunity to really build a nice relationship,” said Famiglietti. “As far as I'm concerned, in some way I think the two of us will be connected for a long time.”
The two of them go ice- and roller-skating, sledding and hiking. They bake together, do arts and crafts and talk about their lives. And Famiglietti goes to Domine-que's sporting events and concerts, she said.
Famiglietti first became interested in a community mentoring program as a result of her empty nest. At the time her children were in college and her house was empty, Famiglietti said.
“I missed having the chance to spend time with a child in a fun kind of atmosphere,” she said.
Famiglietti saw ads for Big Brothers Big Sisters at her church and in the newspaper, and knew right away that was what she wanted to do.
Soon after, she was matched with Williams, then 8 years old from Auburn. They met that year, and continued to meet even when Big Brother Big Sisters moved to the YMCA on Williams Street in 2003.
Williams is 14 now, and while the pair doesn't meet as much as they did six years ago, they still value the friendship that has developed, Famiglietti said.
“She's often able to give me ideas from her point of view,” Famiglietti said. “She's 14 and sometimes she thinks of things that I haven't thought of.
“She keeps me young,” she continued. “I'm 55 years old and my own kids are in their 20s. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be roller-skating or going sledding. She keeps me active.”
January is National Mentoring Month during which time mentoring programs thank their community volunteers that offer to spend time with children.
“We wanted to take them time and thank all of the people that have ever been mentors who helped a child,” said Sharon Collins, director of Y-Pals at the Auburn YMCA. “They really have made a difference in a child's life.”
“What a great facet for children to have more positive and productive lives,” she later added, “having this person there for you.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
“For us I think it has been a wonderful opportunity to really build a nice relationship,” said Famiglietti. “As far as I'm concerned, in some way I think the two of us will be connected for a long time.”
The two of them go ice- and roller-skating, sledding and hiking. They bake together, do arts and crafts and talk about their lives. And Famiglietti goes to Domine-que's sporting events and concerts, she said.
Famiglietti first became interested in a community mentoring program as a result of her empty nest. At the time her children were in college and her house was empty, Famiglietti said.
“I missed having the chance to spend time with a child in a fun kind of atmosphere,” she said.
Famiglietti saw ads for Big Brothers Big Sisters at her church and in the newspaper, and knew right away that was what she wanted to do.
Soon after, she was matched with Williams, then 8 years old from Auburn. They met that year, and continued to meet even when Big Brother Big Sisters moved to the YMCA on Williams Street in 2003.
Williams is 14 now, and while the pair doesn't meet as much as they did six years ago, they still value the friendship that has developed, Famiglietti said.
“She's often able to give me ideas from her point of view,” Famiglietti said. “She's 14 and sometimes she thinks of things that I haven't thought of.
“She keeps me young,” she continued. “I'm 55 years old and my own kids are in their 20s. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be roller-skating or going sledding. She keeps me active.”
January is National Mentoring Month during which time mentoring programs thank their community volunteers that offer to spend time with children.
“We wanted to take them time and thank all of the people that have ever been mentors who helped a child,” said Sharon Collins, director of Y-Pals at the Auburn YMCA. “They really have made a difference in a child's life.”
“What a great facet for children to have more positive and productive lives,” she later added, “having this person there for you.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
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