Friends Of All Ages The Big Friend-Little Friend Program Imagine the ability to make a positive impact on a child’s life in just two to four hours per month. Sound unlikely? It’s possible through the United Way’s Big Friend-Little Friend (BFLF) program and you can be a part of it. According to their program’s website page www. bigfriendlittlefriend.org, “Big Friend-Little Friend, Inc. is a nonprofit IRS 501(c)3 community resource designed to give a young person between the age of 7-14 (Little Friend) the opportunity to gain the friendship and example of a positive and sincere adult (Big Friend).” The program, created in 1977, has matched over 1,200 adult and child friends in its 38 years. An adult volunteer of at least 18 years of age is matched with a young person in the community in hopes to offer friendship and guidance. Jesse Bailey, Executive Director of the BFLF program explains that the program has expanded rapidly over the past few years and continues to grow. Not an income-based program, youth from various backgrounds are encouraged to join. With 70 kids currently in the program already matched with mentors, they are still looking for mentors for approximately 14-20 youth. I had the opportunity to witness the effects of a lasting friendship from this program through a three generational BFLF participant interview. Michele Leibfarth joined the BFLF program approximately eleven years ago, in search of a young child to mentor. Her son in college and daughter in high school at the time, Leibfarth wanted to join the program because of her love for children. She was paired up with fifth grade Georgilee Flynn from Yankton, the youngest in her family with three older siblings. Flynn’s current big friend was a college student who would be soon graduating and the young girl was in need of a new mentor. It turned out to be a great match; Leibfarth and Flynn have been inseparable for more than 11 years, long after Flynn outgrew the age requirement of the program. “I just loved spending time with her,” reflected Leibfarth. Flynn is now in college, attending USD with a major in Let Us Help You With Your Total Joint BEFORE and AFTER Surgery If you have had or are thinking of joint replacement surgery we can help you prepare and recover. •Pre-op Exercise Regimen •Post-op Rehabilitation •Treatment plans individually tailored •Convenient front door parking •Friendly and experienced staff 605.260.5003 12vHERVOICEvMARCH/APRIL 2016 Morgen Square Back Row: Tracie, Matt, Amber. Front Row: Rachel, Kelsey.