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Canfield native is Ohio’s Big Sister of the Year
By ABBY SLANKER
Julie Swartz Dinges, daughter of Lois Swartz of Canfield, and 2000 Canfield High School graduate, has been named Ohio Big Sister of the Year.
Dinges, who now lives in Hilliard, Ohio, mentors her Little Sister, Kara, through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio. She was honored by the Big Brothers Big Sisters Ohio State Association and was selected by a state association committee which included representatives from various Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies that serve Ohio children.
Dinges’ relationship with her Little Sister Kara began when they were matched by the organization in 2007. The match has developed into a relationship where they are comfortable discussing many sensitive issues, including life experiences that are both good and bad.
Dinges has helped her Little Sister through several stressful situations by providing much-needed support and encouragement. The consistency and longevity of this relationship has helped Kara make good choices and avoid potentially detrimental situations that could affect her future.
Kara and her family are thankful for the fact that she has another supportive person in her life who listens, provides guidance and shares fun experiences with her.
“She shows me how to be a good person and she helps me understand things better,” said Kara of her Big Sister. “She speaks her mind and she knows what to say but she doesn’t always tell me what I want to hear. She also tells me what I need to hear.”
While attending Bowling Green State University, Dinges noticed an active presence of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“My interest began to pique during my collegiate career, however, I never participated. In mid- to late-2007, I learned that a friend of mine from college, Katie Elsass, got involved with the program.
“I was curious about the interview process, asking her lots of questions. Her encouragement was the perfect push I needed and I immediately applied to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. I was soon matched with my little sister in October 2007,” Dinges said.
“We couldn’t be a more compatible match. We’ve done so much together over the past two years: bowling, going to the zoo and COSI, watching movies, playing games, volunteering, cooking and making jewelry. What I think I most enjoy when we are together are our chats. Sometimes they are very serious and sometimes they are the complete opposite.
“I’ve come to realize that I have just as much to learn from Kara as she does from me. She’s determined, focused and motivated and I’m very proud of her. She values school and her education, wanting to be the first in her family to attend college. I encourage her to always strive for the best,” Dinges said.
Dinges is truly appreciative of her time spent growing up in Canfield.
“Canfield is truly small town U.S.A. There is a sense of community in Canfield that can’t always be found in other small cities. I’ve come to appreciate growing up in a safe environment and community even more so now that I’ve seen so many children dealing with struggles I couldn’t even fathom having to deal with as a kid. My experiences as a child allowed me to contribute as Kara’s positive mentor today,” Dinges said.
While growing up in Canfield, Dinges was involved with the Canfield High School soccer team, Canfield High School swim team (co-captain senior year), Canfield Swim Club swim team, Italian Club and the Canfield United Methodist Church youth group.
Dinges was very active with her church youth group. While in high school, she participated with three mission trips traveling to Wind River Indian Reservation, Wyoming, the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia, and inner-city Chicago. She also volunteered at St. John’s Soup Kitchen and the rescue mission.
“Those experiences opened my eyes to a bigger world outside of Canfield. I learned that the gift of giving is much more rewarding than receiving,” Dinges said.