Big Brothers Big Sisters campaign encourages Middle Georgia to “Paint the Town Green”

Betsy Fitzgerald, president and CEO of the organization, says mentors aren't meant to replace a parent but to give a different perspective on life.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Paint the Town Green campaign, put on by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Heart of Georgia, encourages businesses, schools and organizations across Middle Georgia to show support for youth mentoring by incorporating green into their workplaces.

Betsy Fitzgerald, president and CEO of the organization, says mentors aren’t meant to replace a parent but to give a different perspective on life.

“But more importantly when you have a role model in your life, you’re going to start behaving different. They might look at you and say you know what I see you brush your hair like this, they might see that your always on time, and that will start sneaking into their everyday life and they will start behaving different,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald says this is a celebration.

“We want to make sure were celebrating big brothers and big sisters, because were one of the most effective youth organizations, that provide one to one mentoring for our youth and teens in the area,” Fitzgerald said.

LaTasha Garvin has been a big sister since her freshman year of college. Garvin shared why she decided to become a mentor.

“My little’s life has been impacted by the mentorship, because of encouragement and motivation, and providing that safety outlet. They have parents and friends but at the same time it’s an opportunity for them to share information,” Garvin said.

Garvin believes mentoring a “little” can help shape their future and builds a lifelong connection.

“But I look at big brother and sisters as a small piece that they can look back on later in life and say what would my mentor say,” Garvin said.