Elsewhere in this and other area newspapers, an advertisement from Catholic Charities Maine has been published seeking applicants for positions with AmeriCorps*VISTA working with CCM and its Big Brothers Big Sisters programs.

That employment opportunity is not only good news for people seeking fulfillment through a three-year commitment, but it is even more exciting news for the youth in our readership area served by CCM Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Leo Paquin at the CCM Portland office recently explained that CCM is one of eight agencies in the state licensed by the BBBS national office to serve Maine. The CCM BBBS programs, covering 45 percent of the state, are located in Aroostook, Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.

The eight-member state BBBS coalition recently applied for, and was awarded, nine VISTA grants, which will enable CCM to place an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer in three of its four sites.

CCM currently operates sites in Bangor, where that program is now in its 21st year, Paquin said; and “a relatively new site based in Fort Kent that covers all of St. John Valley from Allagash to Van Buren to Eagle Lake.”

BBBS of Central Aroostook is based in Presque Isle, and the newest program is a collaborative effort with Life Jackets/BBBS of Piscataquis County. Located in Dover-Foxcroft, its executive director is John Pullen.

Paquin said the new VISTA people will be placed in Bangor, Presque Isle and Dover-Foxcroft. The positions are earmarked to serve the site-based programs of BBBS.

BBBS programs are either community-based mentoring,the traditional program “that matches an adult with a little one who do activities together,” Paquin said, “or a site-based program, which is a recent development in the last five to 10 years.”

With the site-based program, youngsters gather “at a school or corporate site with [adults], who arrive together and meet at the site only. It’s less supervisory intensive, but the same benefits are shown to be there,” he said.

“It’s been shown that children at risk [in such programs] have fewer incidents of truancy, fewer incidents of aggressive behavior and less abuse of drugs.

“National statistics have shown that those risks are lowered through mentoring,” he said, “and it’s also shown a proven increase in young people’s sense of self-esteem.”

Paquin said “AmeriCorps*VISTA wants these people to really focus on capacity-building in the site-based programs.”

“When the VISTA people complete their work, something should remain intact from what they have begun.

“These people will work to build up existing sites, network in the community, and help build relationships which will lend to the growth of the site. The bottom line is the potential for greater, and more, mentoring services.”

Paquin added that the staff of CCM BBBS “is really excited” because the new positions “will allow these BBBS programs to really blossom.”

One VISTA person will help build the new program in Piscataquis County; one will help in the building process of the Presque Isle program; and the third will help enhance the existence of the Bangor program.

Paquin said the grants for three people to work a 40-hour week “will be a tremendous boon to the program, and to all the youth they serve.”

However, the key to the success of this expansion lies in the hiring of qualified applicants, and those applications must be submitted to CCM by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, because CCM must submit its applications to VISTA by Friday, Dec. 29.

Paquin said VISTA positions are good for people who are seeking opportunities to give something back to their communities; people seeking an opportunity to serve their local community; or people seeking to make a change in their lives.

The qualifications include compassion for youth and a willingness to make a difference in the community. You cannot hold a second job or be a student, but older people as well as younger people are encouraged to apply.

Each AmeriCorps*VISTA position is a full-time, year-round commitment. Individuals receive a living allowance, travel reimbursement, health coverage and an education award.

This opportunity might interest people “who want to see the quality of young people’s lives improved,” Paquin said.

It might also appeal to people who want to see their community enhanced; older people who want to become re-involved with their community; or recent college graduates who aren’t sure what they want to do yet. A college education is not required, however.

“What we really want is to find people who want to make a huge difference in their community,” Paquin said.

For more information about becoming an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer working to strengthen the CCM Big Brothers Big Sisters programs in our area, call Paquin at 781-8550, or send two cover letters and two resumes to Brenda Macomber, Human Resources Office, P.O. Box 10660, Portland 04104.

You can also visit her Web site at bmacomber@ccmaine.org.

The holiday classic, Frank Capra’s, “It’s a Wonderful Life” will be presented by Acadia Community Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8; Saturday, Dec. 9; Friday, Dec. 15; and Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Neighborhood House in Northeast Harbor.

Tickets are $4 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and $2 for students.

We’ll have more news for you, next week, from Corrine Van Peursem of Bangor about the local Toys for Tots & Teens Drive conducted with the Marine Corps Reserve.

But, in the meantime, we want you to know that Marine Corps Reserve celebrity baggers will be working from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Ames Department Store at the Airport Mall in Bangor.

Anyone dropping off a toy, or purchasing a $1 “pledge train” during that time will be eligible to win a $50 gift certificate for J.B. Parker’s restaurant.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.