Heidi Goblirsch Leaves Position as Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director
By Molly Schecklman– Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Wood County is dedicated to helping children realize their full potential and build their futures through the support of a mentor, and hopefully a life-long friend.
BBBS asks for adult volunteers (“Bigs”) to be matched with children ages 6-18 (“Littles”). Through this match, the Bigs and Littles spend time together, at least once a week, and develop a bond that will help the Littles become more confident in themselves and their abilities. According to a study of 2009 BBBS participants, 90% of former Littles agreed that their Big made them feel better about themselves.
With BBBS being such a special organization, it takes a very special person to oversee it. Heidi Goblirsch, the Executive Director of BBBS, started with the organization in 2015 and has quickly made strides to help it become as successful as it is today. Unfortunately, Goblirsch announced that she will be stepping down from her position at BBBS effective August 17. The current Bigs and Littles are sad to see Heidi go, but wish her all the best in life’s new adventure.
“BBBS will always hold a special place in my heart based on what I saw being created before my eyes. I will miss many things about BBBS. I will miss all the wonderful families and kids that I have been blessed to work with. I will miss all the kind and giving individuals that want to make a difference in a child’s life because every child matters. It only takes that one special person to change the world for someone else,” said Goblirsch.
“I will miss seeing the smile on the child’s face when they meet their Big for the first time. I will miss the excitement of the child being interviewed that a special friend will get to meet them soon, because they matter in this world. I will miss the progress I have been able to witness through the growing relationships of the matches,” she added.
Kristina Howey, the Vice President of the Board of Directors, is excited for the future of BBBS.
Howey states, “We have reached out to neighboring Big Brother Big Sister agencies to help support our current matches in the short run. This will allow our Board time to develop a staffing plan as well as the appropriate job descriptions that will support the growth of our program in Marshfield for many years.”
BBBS is always looking for volunteers. Goblirsch encourages anyone on the fence about mentoring youth to consider BBBS because it truly is worth it and it does make a difference in the lives of the Littles as well as the Bigs.
Goblirsch would like to extend a thank you to everyone that she has been able to work and interact with, as well as United Way for being one of BBBS’s major financial contributors.
In the meantime, the City of Marshfield, as well as neighboring communities, eagerly await the arrival of the new growth to come for this amazing program.
