Still a fledgling program in early 2006, the Lowe Family Young Scholars organization was pointed in the right direction but needed some help getting there.
Enter Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The Lowe Family Young Scholars was established – by founders Barry W. and Karen Lowe – to be a mentoring-based program which helps students in need achieve their goal of one day attending a college or university. The program targeted students at Jane Phillips Elementary School, which has a high percentage of students on free and reduced lunch programs.
Students who attended – or had attended – Jane Phillips could apply to be part of the program. If accepted, they would be matched with an adult mentor who would take an active interest in their good academic standing as well as their general well being. The program would continue through a participant's high school graduation. If completed, the students would receive scholarships toward participating colleges or universities.
Area director Charlene Dew and board member George Halkiades, both of the Bartlesville office of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, liked the idea of the young program when they initially read about it. And, they felt they could help.
“George contacted Barry because he had caught wind that we had started a mentoring program,” recalls Karen Lowe. “They wanted to know if they could help us.
“We didn't know we had a need, but they did.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters has since filled that need. The primary goal of the organization is to develop caring, confident and competent children who stay in school, off drugs and out of trouble by matching them with the caring, consistent and safe role models they need. With more than 450 agencies in all 50 states, Big Brothers Big Sisters is the premier mentoring organization in the country.
The Lowe Family Young Scholars program knew it needed mentors and had a good idea about where to find them with the contacts of Karen and Barry, who is a member of the Bartlesville Board of Education. What the Lowe program didn't have was a tried and true way to screen its mentoring candidates, to make sure the youngsters in their program were paired with good, safe choices.
“When we initially approached them, we talked to them about what their vision was,” notes Dew. “We also talked to them about what infrastructure needed to be in place in order to make that vision a reality.”
The Lowe Family Young Scholars program currently boasts 21 youngsters and approximately 25 mentors, each of whom has been screened by Big Brothers Big Sisters, using their tried and true methods. Since the deadline for students to apply for entry into the Lowe program is Nov. 15 each year, organizers begin to seek out new mentors in December and January. Once they have a candidate, they refer him or her to Big Brothers Big Sisters. BBBS then utilizes the same screening and selection process that they would use for a new mentoring entry into their program. They ask for an application and three character references. They then do a background check, which involves noting driving records as well as any criminal history. BBBS conducts a personal interview as well.
“During the personal interviews, we get a chance to know the mentoring candidates,” says Dew. “Also, you have to know the children's needs to be able to match them with the appropriate mentor.”
BBBS makes the final decision as to who is accepted as a mentor into the Lowe program. Once mentors have been chosen, Karen Lowe and Bobbe Hornback, the Big Brothers Big Sisters program team lead, meet to do a match selection. Once the match selections have been made, students and mentors get to meet and begin their journey together.
“The Lowe Family Young Scholars is an awesome program,” says Dew. “I think it's fantastic that they are providing children with an opportunity for a college education. It is absolutely visionary and generous.
“We're happy to play a part in making their dream a reality.”
The Bartlesville office of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma is currently seeking volunteers for its community- and school-based programs. There are around 50 children on a waiting list for a big brother or big sister. Most of the youngsters on the waiting list are boys, which means men and couples are eagerly being sought for volunteer roles.
According to independent research statistics, children who are matched with a big brother or big sister are 46 percent less likely to use drugs, 27 percent less likely to begin using alcohol and 52 percent less likely to skip school.
Those who are interested in learning more about Big Brothers Big Sisters can call the main number (918) 336-5437 or go online to www.bbbsok.org .
Anyone interested in gathering more information about the Lowe Family Young Scholars program can call (918) 336-5678 or send an email of inquiry to LoweYoungScholar@aol.com .
The Lowe Family Young Scholars program offers scholarships to its three partner schools – Oklahoma State University , Rogers State University-Bartlesville and Oklahoma Wesleyan University . But Barry and Karen Lowe will never forget who their program's first partner was.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters was a partner with us before anyone else was,” says Barry. “They are a fine organization, and we have a great relationship with them.”
The Lowe Family Young Scholars program currently boasts 21 students and approximately 25 mentors, all of whom have been screened by the Bartlesville office of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma.