BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF GREATER BIRMINGHAM, HAND IN PAW, and JEFFERSON STATE share PAWSITIVE FRIENDSHIPS
As Arbor Day approaches, we reflect on all that trees symbolize. Seeds, roots, trunks, branches, and blossoms have all inspired countless metaphors. We think of something starting small and – if watered – growing fruitful and strong.
On Thursday, April 27th at 2:15 pm, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College, and Hand in Paw came together on the Jefferson Campus to leave a lasting symbol of the beauty of friendship.
“Hand in Paw is excited to be a part of Pawsitive Friendships,” said Hand in Paw Executive Director Laura Cardwell. “This event was coordinated with our good friends at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham and Jefferson State Community College to serve as a positive example of spreading good will. In tribute to Arbor Day, we are planting a dogwood tree as a symbol of love and kindness. Our intention is to continue to nurture this growth of compassion throughout our community.”
More than 70 people took part in the planting ceremony, including Bigs, Littles, and staff representatives from the three organizations. Four therapy dogs took part as well.
“For the past three years Jefferson State has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters in the Proof Positive Mentoring Program and we feel it has been a tremendous success,” said Jefferson State’s Director of Community Outreach Guin Robinson. “By participating in Pawsitive Friendships, this allows the Jefferson State family to partner with another wonderful community non-profit organization such as Hand in Paw.”
While the three organizations have different missions, through collaboration they succeed in making the community a brighter place.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters currently provides mentoring services to Tarrant High School students and Jefferson State through our Proof Positive Mentoring Program,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham CEO Sue Johnson. “In an effort to expose children to positive role models and encourage them to graduate High School and seek higher education, Big Brothers Big Sisters transports the teens on a regular basis to the Community College campus to meet with their Big Brothers and Big Sisters who are staff working for the college. We are excited that volunteer teams from Hand in Paw will be working with the matches to help them develop empathy, responsibility and anti-bullying values.”
ABOUT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF GREATER BIRMINGHAM
Big Brothers Big Sisters mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. For more information, visit www.bbbsbhm.org
ABOUT HAND IN PAW
With a mission to improve human health and well-being, Hand in Paw is Alabama’s premier Animal-Assisted Therapy provider, with a corps of professionally-trained volunteer handler and animal Therapy Teams serving people in 100 medical centers, schools, and human service organizations. For more information, visit www.handinpaw.org.
ABOUT JEFFERSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
For more than 50 years, Jefferson State has led the way in providing excellence in education, value and personal attention. Jefferson State serves approximately 15,000 students each year and is one of the largest community colleges in the state. To learn more, visit www.jeffersonstate.edu.
