Walking alongside a young person as a mentor - and a friend - has been an incredibly rewarding journey for Jim Anderson.
For the past eight years, he has served as a mentor to Rory Bieganek - within a program run by BGC Wolf Creek - Rimbey.
"They were matched in 2016," said Ria Lartec, the organization's program director. "Jim has taught a lot of life skills to Rory, and the grandparents of Rory have a lot of good things to say about the match, too - that it's been a life-changing thing for Rory."
For Anderson, he recalled coming to a place in life back in 2016 where he had the time to offer his services as a mentor.
"I farmed all of my life, and my youngest son took over the farm in 2012. I was released from a lot of those obligations. So I had some time on my hands, and I thought, you know, there is probably someone who could use friendship, or some support or company. I had heard about the program, so I thought that I should ask about that."
He was partnered with Rory, and they immediately found they had much in common that they enjoyed, and have continued to enjoy over the years.
"It's been rewarding to see Rory grow and change," said Anderson, adding he feels he's had a real part in helping the young fellow through various challenges that he has faced as well. "It really is a rewarding thing to watch, and to see what kids (in general) do with their lives."
Bieganek, who is now 14, was just six years old when he was first paired up with Anderson.
"Most of the time, and through the winter, I have met with Rory at school once a week. It was supposed to be for an hour, but in most cases it turned out to be two! We would visit for awhile - I always felt it was good to know what was happening in Rory's life. 'Tell me what is new with you, and with school and at home'. Rory also likes to play games, so there was a game box where he would pick one out.
"We would spend the rest of the meeting playing games, so that was fun. It was important to have those fun times with Rory as well as the more serious times," he said.
"In the summer months, we would go out bicycling for an afternoon, or canoeing, or we would go to the racetrack or the Kraay Family Farm in Lacombe, or the animal farm (Discovery Nature Centre) near Innisfail," added Anderson.
"It was about getting around and having these new experiences for him and for me, with the idea it would also expose other things to Rory that weren't only about school."
Bieganek agreed the biking and heading to the local racetrack were among his favourite things to do with Anderson, and he's very appreciative of the time they have been able to spend together over the years.
"It gives you the chance to do stuff that you normally wouldn't get to do," he said.
Meanwhile, Lartec said there is always a need for more mentors in the program, and she is hoping this pair's story helps to inspire others to sign up.
Mentors are matched with a child between the ages of six to 17, and meet with them for one hour each week to, "Do crafts, play games, and have fun."
As the web site points out, anyone can be a mentor. "It doesn't take any special skills or talents to mentor, it simply requires a commitment to be a caring friend to a young person.
For more about BGC Wolf Creek Rimbey and all the programming offered, call 403-704-6641 or head to rimbey.bgcwolfcreek.com.
