Joyce Jones, Amachi Faith-Based Initiative
"Joyce
Jones has a passion for children and the skills to
empower children to pursue positive activities to
enrich their lives," says Michael Brown, Director of the Amachi Initiative. After retiring from
30 years with the District of Columbia Department
of Corrections, Joyce knows firsthand the heartache
of children being separated from their parents. So
Joyce volunteered to become a Big Sister in the Amachi
Mentoring Initiative. Big Sister Joyce has been matched
with her Little Sister Rasheeda for the past two
years.
Rasheeda is 14 years old, a bright 9th grader and an Honor Roll Student in
Prince George's Public Schools, where she recently earned the highest score in
the county in the standardized math testing.
"Rasheeda can make a real impact on society because of her openness and
strong academic abilities," says Big Sister Joyce. Rasheeda is being raised by her great aunt and needed
additional support from another adult. Rasheeda and Joyce have faced challenges
in their relationship, but they have grown to enjoy reading, seeing old movies,
shopping, singing and just being together. Joyce heard about the Amachi Initiative
at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church where she now serves as the Amachi Church
Volunteer Coordinator to help recruit other volunteer mentors for the mentoring
initiative. She was instrumental in creating the BBBSNCA Amachi Council, which
is comprised of volunteer mentors from all partner churches who share their experiences
of being a Big and support each other. Joyce is also an Americorps* VISTA Volunteer.
Big Sister Joyce and Little Sister Rasheeda share a match relationship so strong
that they were selected by Big Brothers
Big Sisters to be part of a national recruitment video.
--Wilfred Haynes, Senior Program Coordinator. Amachi Faith-Based Mentoring Initiative
Martin McCrae, Amachi Faith-Based Initiative
Big
Brother Martin grew up as one of six children raised
by his mother in southeast Washington, DC. When he
was matched with his Little Brother Brandyn, 14 years
old, he understood some of the challenges Brandyn
faced growing up in a single-parent home also in
southeast Washington.
Martin was motivated to become a Big when he heard an Amachi program
presentation in his church, Matthews Memorial Baptist Church -- he was ready
to help others! Martin works as a financial analyst
for the U.S. Federal Judiciary and knew the key to
his success was education. He earned his Master's
Degree from Bowie State University and was anxious
to instill the importance of education in Brandyn's
life. After nearly two years of their match, the
positive and consistent influence of
his Big Brother on Brandyn has been remarkable -- his mother is no longer called
to school because of her son's behavior, he is participating
in after school activities, such as baseball. Even
the neighbors have noticed Brandyn's improved behavior!
Big Brother Martin helps his Little Brother weekly with homework
assignments. Brandyn has improved his grades to As and Bs. Brandyn has learned to have more respect for adults and that his actions have consequences; he no longer "acts out" at home, says his mother. Though he is exposed to drugs and gang activities,
Brandyn has not been influenced by them. Martin believes that community service
is important. Together they have shared the experience of volunteering at the
Martin Luther King, Jr. Shelter feeding the homeless and participating in an
annual clothing drive. Martin and Brandyn benefited from the U.S. Tennis Association/Big
Brothers Big Sisters partnership and enjoyed a six-week tennis class. Brandyn
was recognized as the most improved tennis player.
Martin says that being a Big Brother has been one of his most rewarding experiences
of his life and he encourages others at work, church and in his community to
become a Big Brother to a child in need. -- Wilfred Haynes, Senior Program Coordinator, Amachi Faith-Based Mentoring Initiative
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