Big Brothers Big Sisters has existed in Wyoming for 50 years, and for nearly a fifth of that time Pokey Heny and eighth grade student Michelle Hedges have been matched.

Heny, who works as a paraeducator in the school district, joined Big Brothers Big Sisters to be a source of support for Hedges. Nearly eight years later the pair is still going strong. 

“I really can’t tell you what steered me that way,” Heny said. “But there must have been a little spark in her that said, ‘I need to do this, I need to do this.’”

Heny remembers working with Hedges to carry herself with confidence in the hallways.

“When she was little I used to see her in the hallway at school and she’d look at me and she’d put her head up and put her shoulders back because we worked on that,” Heny said. “Before, she didn’t want to be seen and I said, ‘You’re an important person. Get your shoulders back, get your head up, greet people, say hello, make eye contact.’”

Heny said that she had looked into other mentorship programs and decided Big Brothers Big Sisters was the right fit for the two of them.

January is mentor month, a time to recognize what mentors or “bigs” in the community do for their “littles,” as well as consider the impact that one can have in a child’s life through Big Brothers Big Sisters. In the program adults and young adults are matched with youth in their community to give positive guidance and support.

Heny’s favorite memories of the mentorship are helping Hedges become less shy and approach Heny in public on her own. The duo go on educational trips, sporting events and walks.

She said her favorite activities are often the walks. They allow Hedges to talk to Heny about what’s going on in her life. Heny can then help her set goals and navigate the life of a middle schooler.

Hedges is active in her community as a member of the middle school cheerleading team, she has also just completed her first swim meet with the Powell Piranhas swim club. 

When the COVID pandemic arrived some elderly mentors stepped down, so Heny takes Hedge’s sisters out on activities as well.

“She’s always been there to support me through hard times and if we’re going through something she’ll help us out,” Hedges said. 

Hedges added she is also a fan of going on bike rides and exploring with Heny.

Community engagement coordinator Jen Just said there are 17 mentors in the community who are matched or waiting on a match and there are 11 children enrolled in Big Brothers Big Sisters who need a mentor. Eight of these children are boys who would prefer a male mentor which the program is in need of. 

“It’s a great program, I’d like to see more young men. I do see some at the school, young men get into it, you can give as little or as much time you know, as you want,” Hedges said. “I’d like to see more men because some kids really need a good male role model in their life.”

Mentors can fall into two categories: community based or lunch buddy to fit both their needs and meet the needs of that particular child. 

“The relationship focus, I think, is the most important. And some of the kids are in the program for so many different reasons. It’s not a cookie cutter situation,” Just said. 

In order to become a mentor applicants must provide references, complete a background check and take part in an interview. Just said that additional training and handouts can be provided to partners in need of more strategies with their matches. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters or mentorship call 307-213-3263 or visit bbbswyo.org.