Every week School Specialty merchandising manager, Sonya Morgan, shares a new adventure with her Little Sister, Vicky. One day they went to an amusement park. Another day they went shopping. The latest was a costume party with family for Halloween.

Vicky is an 11-year-old fifth grader. She just started in the Lexington, Ohio school system. She has a twin sister and an older sister. Each of the girls has a Big Sister.

Sonya became part of Big Brothers/Big Sisters because she wanted to be more active in the community and because she has a passion for kids. "This was the best way of tying the two together," she said. "This helps kids that need it. It shows them a different way of living - some stability. It gives them someone they can trust and count on."

After an extensive review process, Sonya and Vicky were teamed up. Vicky calls Sonya almost every day, and Sonya tries to spend at least one day a week with Vicky.

They have gone to Cleveland Indians baseball games, Wyandot Lake, a Six Flags park in Columbus, Ohio, and have seen Broadway's version of Beauty & the Beast at a local theater.

Sonya makes sure that every meeting isn't a field trip. She wants to show Vicky "everyday things." The two go to the grocery store and make dinner together. They are also building a scrapbook of their activities. Sonya observed, "Many of the kids are in a 'vicious cycle' because they see how people in their everyday environment act, and then act according to what they have learned." Sonya hopes that she's showing Vicky a different way of life.

"I hope Vicky now can see a reason to go to college," said Sonya. "I hope she sees how others function - that she sees a better way."

A year hasn't passed since they were paired together, yet Sonya has already seen a change in Vicky. Sonya has noticed that Vicky is very outgoing, a little more confident, and much more trusting.

Sonya encourages those interested in participating in Big Brothers/Big Sisters to take the leap. "There's always someone that is less fortunate than you," she said. "It's an easy process to join."

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A Better Life

Little Brothers and Little Sisters are:

• 46 percent less likely to begin using illegal drugs
• 27 percent less likely to begin using alcohol
• 52 percent less likely to skip school
• 37 percent less likely to skip class
• More confident in their schoolwork performance
• Able to get along better with their families

Making a Difference: An Impact Study of Big Brothers Big Sisters, 2000