The Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of Northeast Pennsylvania (BBBS NEPA), serving Lycoming County, is pleased to announce the first annual scholarship designated in memory of long-time BBBS Lycoming Advisory Board Member Jeffrey Yates, who passed away in January of this year. A local attorney, Yates was an active board member who was steadfast in his commitment to the program and quietly served his community in various children’s and family causes, such as being a regular emcee for the annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake event.
Yates attended undergraduate school at West Virginia University, as will the recipient of the Jeff Yates Memorial Scholarship, Brady Morgan. Morgan, a senior at East Lycoming School District, was selected by the Yates family to receive this award, in part, due to having been a positive role model as a Big Brother for the past two years for several littles in the East Lycoming School District’s BBBS School-based program. Morgan plans to attend West Virginia University to major in biology (pre-dental), return to his community to serve as a dentist, and remain active in community service.
In addition to Brady Morgan, BBBS Lycoming provided three other students, Scott Johnson, Eden Grace Lukasiewicz, and Tianah Williams, with scholarships to assist them as they continue or pursue their continuing education. Scott Johnson is an East Lycoming senior who has been a Big Brother mentor for the past two years. Johnson has been a very attentive and dedicated Big Brother. Although being challenged with a family member’s illness, Johnson continues to find time to help others. Johnson plans to attend the Pennsylvania College of Technology in the fall.
Eden Grace Lukasiewicz completed her freshman year at George Washington University. Majoring in Biomedical Engineering, she is in the honors program at GWU. For two years, Lukasiewicz was a Big Sister in the South Williamsport Area School District. This is Lukasiewicz’s second year applying for and receiving a scholarship through BBBS Lycoming.
Little Sister, Tianah Williams, will be graduating from Williamsport Area High School this year. She plans on attending Lock Haven University or the Pennsylvania College of Technology in the fall. Williams has been matched with her Big Sister Ashley Muchler since January 2019. Williams says her experience with BBBS has been amazing. She credits her Big Sister with helping her through difficult times with peers and overcoming a learning disability. Williams’ grades have shown improvement every year. No doubt this Big/Little relationship will continue as Tianah was asked to be a bridesmaid at her Big Sister’s wedding.
BBBS Lycoming raises funds through the annual “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” event as well as donations through First Community Foundation Partnerships’ “Raise the Region.” While BBBS Lycoming is one of 17 county programs supported regionally through BBBS NEPA, all funds raised in Lycoming County stay in Lycoming County. Because of a unique supportive relationship with the community-based prevention programs through Lycoming County Children and Youth Services, funds raised are able to be used solely for supporting matches and waiting list youth within the program, as well as providing scholarships that assist program participants as they continue their education with college or trade school.
The program offers a host of matches that include Community-Based, Site-Based, Site-Based Facilitated, Site-Based Plus, Bigs in Blue, and Beyond School Walls. Community-Based matches meet in the community to complete match activities together. Match activities are activities that the Big and Little can complete together that will help to develop their match relationship and have a meaningful impact on the Little. Activities include doing crafts together, cooking simple meals, or playing sports together while encouraging discussions to learn more about each other. Community-based matches can also meet on video conferencing platforms.
The Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program of Northeast Pennsylvania empowers youth in the community by providing and supporting one-to-one mentorships. For more information on becoming a Big or to make a donation, please visit bbbsnepa.com.
