C.O. volunteer Oregon ‘Big Sister of the Year’

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has named Celine Burke as Big Sister of the Year for Oregon.

Celine, a Big Sister with BBBS Central Oregon, and her Little Sister, Jasmine, will be considered for the national Big Sister of the Year award to be announced in June at the National BBBSA conference in Chicago.

The BBBS Big Sister of the Year award is presented to a volunteer that best demonstrates the values of the BBBS mission.

“The best proof of our top volunteers is in the greatness of their Littles,” said Program Director Amanda Gow. “Celine and Jasmine are role models for us all and help show us how mentoring changes lives for the better, forever.”

Celine and Jasmine celebrated their three-year match anniversary in June 2013. Celine began her relationship with BBBS 18 years ago in Iowa, and joined BBBS Central Oregon when she moved to Bend in 2008.

Jasmine and Celine enjoy doing a wide variety of activities together, such as making crafts, cooking dinner together, going to the library and floating the river. They volunteer together at the Family Kitchen.

Celine says that the biggest challenge of her match with Jasmine has been in building her self-confidence and self-image; to learn to believe in herself. Celine strives to help Jasmine overcome her educational struggles and tries to find a way to incorporate reading and math into everyday activities together.

What Celine feels is the most rewarding aspect of the match is simple yet important: “She’s fun,” Celine shares, “She goes with the flow.”

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon

Big Brothers Big Sisters holds itself accountable for helping children who face adversity achieve educational success; avoid of risky behaviors such as juvenile delinquency; and have higher self-esteem, confidence and aspirations. The organization relies on donations to carefully make mentoring matches and provide ongoing assistance for mentors, mentees and families to help sustain the long, successful relationships unique to its programs and at the core of its positive outcomes.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon is currently celebrating its 20 th anniversary in Central Oregon. Over the last 20 years BBBSO has served thousands of children and families and utilized many talented and dedicated community volunteers.

For more information on how to volunteer, enroll a child, donate money or services please visit www.bbbsco.org. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon is a program of J Bar J Youth Services and is a proud “21 Cares for Kids” partner