LEWISTON — The end of the school year marks a time when Big Brothers Big Sisters recognizes the people in their programs who make a “big” difference in the lives of children in their community. At a recent Big Brothers Big Sisters celebratory dinner held at and hosted by Bates College and the Harward Center for Community Partnerships, Doug Goulding was named the “Bates College Big Brother of the Year.”

Doug is a graduating senior from Bates College and has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters site-based program for more than three years, being matched with his Little Brother Scott. Doug and Scott meet on the Bates College campus on weekends as part of a program called “Cats & Cubs,” which brings “littles” to the Bates College campus for games, activities and the benefits of one to one mentoring relationships.

Doug said that when he came to Bates College from Massachusetts, he joined the program to simply be a part of the Lewiston-Auburn community, but his friendship with Scott quickly formed. “When I got to know Scott, I saw an active young boy who really liked the time we spent together, and I do not think he cared what we did, as long as we were together, talking, laughing and sharing time together. He is a great kid.”

Scott is 12 years old and is in the sixth grade. He agrees that the friendship with Doug was quick to begin. “When I met Doug, we talked a few minutes and then BAM! … we connected. I got to know him and found that he really likes to be around kids. Doug likes himself and everyone around him, so I was lucky to have him as my Big Brother,” Scott said.

Doug recently graduated from Bates College, but he goes back home to Massachusetts knowing that he has made a huge impression on a young man in Lewiston.

Doug and Scott know how important it is for volunteers to come forward to be a part of the life of a child. Scott thinks that everyone should become a mentor in their community. “Big Brothers Big Sisters is a great program,” Scott says, “the program at Bates College was a great way to meet new people, have fun, and explore what college is like. I know for sure that I am going to be going to college after I finish high school.” Scott has plans to be an actor, singer, dancer, or video game-tester. He even knew the different types of colleges he had to go to in order to study in those fields. “Doug taught me a lot,” he said.