North Davis Communities That Care

BY VIVIANA FELIX

Something we cannot stress enough as a coalition is the importance of a caring and supportive adult in a child’s life. You may think that you do not have the skills or knowledge to be a mentor to a child. The truth is that not much is needed to be someone who listens, shares, and has fun. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah is a community mentoring program that matches an adult volunteer mentor to a child or adolescent to reduce problem behaviors and improve academic success, peer and family relationships, and self-confidence. North Davis Communities That Care Coalition supports this communitybased program because of the research behind the program proven to strengthen family connections and reduce low commitment to the school. A mentor is one of the best protections we can offer a child.

One-to-one matches are made based on the shared goals and interests of the child (little) and the adult volunteer (big) with the expectation that a caring and supportive relationship will develop. Each big and little participate in generalized activities related to their shared goals. Bigs meet with their little 3-5 hours per week for a minimum of 12 months. Mentors complete a thorough review process and are interviewed. Additionally, a case manager is assigned to each match to stay informed of the child’s experiences and to guide and advise the mentor.

Most bigs and littles are matched within their local community. As of right now, there are 17 littles waiting to be matched in Davis County.

Take this as your message to become someone’s mentor today—

2-UPGRADE THE SPACES YOU USE THE MOST

Even small improvements and upgrades to your home can drastically change the way your spaces feel and function. Bathrooms and kitchens are likely where you spend the most time, so prioritizing home upgrades in these areas will have the biggest impact.

Installing new appliances can give your kitchen an upgrade, but if you’re working with a smaller budget, start with the most updated fixture and replace them one at a time. A fresh coat of paint and a set of new rugs is a quick an inexpensive way to freshen up a space, and replacing faucets and towel holders can also kick the aesthetic up a notch in your hightraffic spaces.

3-CURB APPEAL

Landscaping is one of the best ways to improve your home’s exterior. From adding new mulch to garden beds to hiring an arborist to trim overgrown trees, or a landscaping architect to help plan an attractive and functional outdoor space. Some additional exterior improvements that can increase your home’s curb appeal, as well as its overall value is replacing or restoring rooves, rain gutters, and garage doors. Painting the front door, pressure washing walkways, and replacing outdated house numbers are all easy and inexpensive ways to ramp up your home’s aesthetic. Whether you’re adding custom window coverings, replacing a bathroom sink, or installing a new fence, each step you take to improve and upgrade the space where you live makes it feel a little more like home.

BY CINDY JONES