Mayor's Volunteer Award Nominees

OUTSTANDING EMERGING VOLUNTEER NOMINEE:  CORY YOUNG

 

 

Cory has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters since February of 2012.  Cory was matched with his Little Brother, Sabastian, in the School Based Program. This commitment required Cory to visit with Sabastian one time a week throughout the school year. 

 

During their first few months of being matched, Cory quickly realized the areas that Sabastian needed the most support in.  He took the initiative to develop a system to help Sabastian improve in these areas.  This included communication with his teacher and mother to make sure all were on board.  Sabastian started getting his homework done in a timely manner, improved his grades, and his organization skills improved.  This took a lot of time and effort that was not required of the program and demonstrates Cory’s dedication to his Little Brother. 

After the 2012-2013 school year, Cory and Sabastian both decided that they wanted to expand their relationship. In June, their match moved to School-Based Plus, and they started visiting both in and outside of school. 

Sabastian enjoys the time that he gets to spend with Cory.  Much of Cory and Sabastian’s time together consists of attending athletic events, playing sports and taking part in Big Brothers Big Sisters sponsored match activities.  Cory can also be found cheering Sabastian on at some of his own basketball games.  These are all things that Sabastian would not be able to do if Cory was not in his life.

 

 

VOLUNTEER AWARD NOMINEE:  SCOTT KINTER

 

Scott Kinter has ‘Started Something BIG’ in more ways than one for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa.  He is one individual that has played an integral part in moving the agency forward and believes that mentoring works.  Through his dedication as a Big Brother and his leadership as an active Board Member, Scott brings the idea of volunteerism to a whole new level.

 

Scott has been matched with his current Little Brother, Ivan, since September, 2011 but originally became a Big Brother in 2009 and has been volunteering his time to young men ever since.  Scott’s Little Brother, Ivan, was 12 years old when he got involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Ivan had many struggles he faced on a daily basis and Ivan’s mother knew he desperately needed a companion to uplift him and show him the special and unique young man he really was inside.  In 2011, Scott entered Ivan’s life and he found the companion he was searching for.  The friendship didn’t blossom instantly, but Scott’s dedication to Ivan never faltered.  In fact, in the first year of their match together, Scott managed to meet with Ivan nearly every week, only missing two weeks that year! 

 

Now, Scott and Ivan have developed a profound friendship that will last well into Ivan’s future.  During visits together, Scott has made it his goal to teach Ivan ‘life lessons’ and better prepare him for adulthood.  Through these ‘life lessons,’ Ivan has developed an interest in wood working and fixing vehicles.  Ivan now knows how to fix odds and ends around his own home and how to make dinner for his family.  Ivan is sociable with others and his mother feels Scott came into Ivan’s life just in time to help break down his inner obstacles and unveil his confidence and bright smile; a smile that had once been hidden.

 

Being a Big Brother, is just one of the many ways Scott serves his community.  As an active Board of Directors member since January, 2012, Scott has supported the agency’s mission and has become a critical component to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa’s leadership and service delivery.  Currently, Scott holds the position of Board Secretary and guides his fellow members by his passion and unwavering commitment to drive the agency forward.  Scott collaborates with his colleagues to educate the community and promote the agency’s efforts in helping children succeed.  Scott has assisted in coordinating the agency’s fundraisers by offering his expertise in the area of marketing and public relations which has led to progressive results in the area of fund development.

 

Scott Kinter understands the importance of giving back and committing himself to serve his community in a multitude of ways.  In fact, Big Brothers Big Sisters recognized Scott’s diligent efforts by awarding him as the Big of the Year in 2012.  Scott has become a guiding force to a young man who was once struggling to find his way and continues to hold such strong passion in moving the agency forward to serve more children facing adversity in the Cedar Valley.