LISBON – The Child Health Center’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Program has announced their “Mentor of the Month” for April is Carol Day.

Day is a resident of Lisbon and is a substitute in the local school system. She volunteers her time weekly to meet with two “Littles” at P.W. Sugg Middle School.

Day taught fifth grade at Marion T. Morse Elementary School, where she worked for 31 years before her retirement. She began mentoring in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in 2002. Initially she had thought of only having one “little,” but when she was given the opportunity to help another student, Day agreed.

Day said her “littles” are special to her because she has seen them evolve to be their own special person.

She said she feels the success of the program personally. Having had congestive heart failure, Day had to have surgery in the summer of 2003. She said the girls made a difference in her own life.

“These girls were there for me, and they got me through a really rough time in my life. I feel that they have given back to me double what I have given them.”

When asked what she thinks her “littles” have benefited from being in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, Day said, “The program gives the girls their own adult friend, someone to talk to, someone who is safe, someone who gives them a bit of freedom to express themselves and a time to share interests.”

Day believes she benefits from being in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program because she has seen her “littles” grow up. They work on special projects, and being in the program has kept her involved with the Lisbon School System. “I can now see things through the eyes of my littles,’ and I accept my own life changes knowing the changes they have had to go through. I get fulfillment out of participating in this program.”

Day believes that anyone can mentor and everyone has something to offer. “The Big Brothers Big Sisters Program has done a good job at matching people together. I am in the halls of the school and see the other matches together and there is a lot of smiling and positive things going on with this program.”

The mentoring program offers community and school based mentoring programs that match elementary and middle school aged children with adults or high school students.

Those interested in becoming a mentor should call the Child Health Center at 782-5437, ext. 76, ask for Ron Hood of Big Brothers Big Sisters or send an e-mail to ron.hood@childhealthcenter.org.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters contacts in the Lisbon area schools are Lorraine Bard at Lisbon High School, Jean Dolan at Lisbon Community School and Brenda Thompson at P.W. Sugg Middle School.