Young artist wants a Big she can rely on

Staff photo by Pat Auckerman Jasmine Hollon, 10, of Middletown is hoping to get a big sister through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer Updated 10:18 AM Sunday, March 21, 2010

MIDDLETOWN— Perhaps the second Big Sister will be the charm for Jasmine Hollon.

The 10-year-old Middletown girl had a “Big” through Big Brothers Big Sisters, but that woman only visited Hollon once about 10 months ago, said Jasmine’s mother.

“She never came back and she never called,” said Amanda Conover, leaving Jasmine for more than two years now waiting for a big sister she can rely on.

Hollon is a fourth-grader at Rosa Parks Elementary School and an aspiring artist in a family that has more than one. While Jasmine explained her situation, her younger brother, Jermaine Conover, 4, was drawing pictures on the sidewalk outside their home. Jasmine, who is particularly into sculpting, got into art “by watching people draw, especially my sister,” she said, referring to Megan Baker, 16.

After school, a typical day for Jasmine goes like this, she said: “I do my homework, watch TV, I like going to the park, going skating and going to the bike path.”

Still, she’s looking for someone to go with her, or take her to new places. Her father died in 2008 of heart disease, and Jasmine “just needs a friend. I’ve got four other kids, and she needs someone who can do things and be with just her,” said Conover.

Since the first Big Sister dropped out of sight, Jasmine “feels like the girl didn’t like her,” Conover said. When asked what happened, Jasmine replied, “I don’t know. Some people are friends and then they go away.”

Such cases are relatively uncommon, said Kelly Eversole, a match support specialist with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Out of about 100 cases last year, there were three or four in which the match didn’t work out, she said.

The agency vets both the family and the potential “Big” with each other, and either party has the option of saying no if they feel the match isn’t right.

When a match doesn’t work out, “It’s not because of the kid, It’s usually because the ‘Big’ can’t continue” due to some kind of life circumstance, Eversole said.

When Jasmine finds someone new, she hopes that person is “someone who likes playing a lot of basketball.” It would also be nice if that person was into video games. Jasmine likes “all of them” she said.

How to apply

To become a Big Brother or Big Sister or get more information, call (513) 867-1227 or (513) 424-3397. You can also apply online at www.bbbsbutlercounty.com/becomeabig .

You will be asked to provide three references, participate  in an interview and orientation, and undergo a background check.

To enroll your child as a Little Brother or Little Sister, visit www.bbbsbutlercounty.com/enroll.

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