NUTMEG BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

 Big Brother Jim Hyde

Jim Hyde works for the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, planning farms in Litchfield County. Secure and successful, Jim searched for a way to “pay it forward”. A former professor and employer inspired Jim so much, that he was determined to help someone else.

Jim’s opportunity came when he heard about Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters. He learned about the mentoring organization through La Via Latina, a non-profit that advocates for Hispanic residents in Connecticut’s Northwest Corner. La Via Latina introduced Jim to Edgar*, a 12-year-old Ecuadorian boy very much in need of positive influence.

“When I first met Edgar in April of 2005,” Jim recalls, “he was withdrawn, suspicious and socially awkward.” After almost two years of movies, restaurants, sporting events, personal conversations and academic help, Edgar is a young man with increased self-esteem on the threshold of a promising adulthood. Edgar can always depend on Jim Hyde as a friend, confidant and role model.

Jim says, “More people should help youngsters fulfill their dreams through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. They provided me with all the support and encouragement I needed. I can’t say enough about the organization and Edgar’s success.”

What’s in the future for Edgar? He’s exploring a career in architecture. One thing is certain. The insecure boy Jim Hyde met two short years ago has grown into a more confident young man who can carve out his own destiny.

* Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters’ policy omits the last names of “Littles” in all promotional material to insure their safety and security.

GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL OF NORTHWEST CT

Gay Roland - Cadette Troop #90, Morris

I am a 65 year old grandmother who has been Girl Scouting for 24 years.  I was a Girl Scout in the 1940’s. As an adult, I was a leader for all four of my daughters.  Girl Scouts helped them grow into confident, strong women who have chosen to have Girl Scouts as an influence in their own daughters’ lives.  Now I’m the leader of my granddaughter’s 7^th grade Cadettes.

We have many meaningful experiences. I’ve been able to expose them to other cultures such as Chinese New Year and Japanese.  They spent the night at a Marine Maritime Museum where they learned about marine biology and related careers. Girl Scout activities have helped them explore other careers, such as sports and animal care.  They learned how to fill out job applications and even practiced mock interviews.

Our troop is very active in community service.  Once they contacted stores and asked for medical supplies they could donate to an orphanage in Tanzania. For the past six years they have decorated school bags filled with supplies and donated them to a local church. While earning their sewing badges, the girls made and donated fleece blankets and sachets to a local nursing home. 

Over the years I’ve seen Girl Scouting impact many lives.  I’ve watched Girl Scouts grow up into leadership roles and make career choices based on their experiences.  Scouting needs to continue to be available to every girl as far as the organization can reach.  It creates options for girls and teaches them about limitless possibilities available.  Our hope as Girl Scout leaders is to be able to give girls the knowledge and strength to become leaders in their own lives and pursue those possibilities.

Community Health & Wellness Center

Of Greater Torrington

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Beale, Sr.

We were introduced to Community Health & Wellness Center of Greater Torrington when we first moved to the Torrington area.  Both my wife and I were very ill and thought we were near death.  Through the use of the clinic we were able to recover from many of our maladies.  The people and staff were considerate and attentive to our needs.

Even though we were uninsured, we received care that was comparable to any other health care facility.  The doctors and staff are very knowledgeable, compassionate, and up-to-date on the latest procedures.  We are very grateful that the clinic existed when we so desperately needed it, and that they helped to make us well again.

AMERICAN RED CROSS WATERBURY CHAPTER

William Houle

I have been a Lifeguarding and CPR instructor in the Health Services branch of the American Red Cross for many years, and I truly believe that we make a difference in the people’s lives. Many people who take our classes recognize that the American Red Cross offers quality training and want to help others.

I have had the opportunity to teach many people over the years and have had a couple of students contact me about the benefits.  A former lifeguard was on vacation with his parents in Mexico was relaxing by the pool when another family’s child became lost.  This lifeguard looked over the pool and discovered the child at the bottom.  He dove in to recover the unconscious victim and, using his Red Cross training, was able to perform CPR to revive the child. 

Another student was a bus driver whose company agreed to let their drivers become trained in CPR and First Aid.  One day a student began choking and couldn’t breathe.  The driver calmly pulled the bus over, performed the appropriate training, and able to dislodge the item. 

These success stories are possible thanks to training people received from the American Red Cross.