The newest member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jasper and Newton Counties, Jessica Schermacher, Amachi specialist, has always wanted to volunteer for an organization that works with children.

So after hearing about the Amachi program through Kathy Guebara with the Missouri Reentry Program, she began.

“I realized that this would be a perfect opportunity to give some of my time to the kids,” said Schermacher, who began her job this past November.

Some of her duties include being in charge of the Carthage After School Program and the Seneca After School Program. As the Amachi specialist, she is the case manager for any match that involves children of incarcerated parents. In addition, she is second in charge (associate case manager of recruitment for both Littles and Bigs for the Amachi, regular community based and school based programs.

“After recruitment, I conduct paperwork, interviews, house visits, pre-match meetings, match meetings and match supervision,” said Schermacher. “Fundraising is an important aspect of my job. We wouldn't be here if the community did not donate their time and money. We work on fundraisers constantly in and outside the office.”

Today, she has a match meeting with a little girl, Abigal.

“So far, all I know about Abigal is that she is 8 years old, plays basketball and loves dogs,” Schermacher said. “I am very excited to meet her today. We will then go hang out for about an hour and get to know each other.

“I plan to be a supportive positive role model other than her guardian,” added Schermacher. “Mostly, I plan to be her good friend. We will play with my dogs and her dogs, do her homework together, cook, I will watch her basketball games, play games, or just hang out and watch TV. We could also go bowling, to the movies, or to the park.”

Growing up, Schermacher was an only child until she was 12 years old. Then, her sister came along. Now Schermacher does the same things with her 11-year-old sister that she will do with her “Little,” Abigal.

Asked if she considers the Big Brothers Big Sisters a huge asset to not only the “Littles,” but to the “Bigs,” her answer was yes.

“The Bigs get a lot out of the program as well,” added Schermacher. “Both participants get a lasting friendship and a boost in self-esteem because they know somebody cares. The Bigs get a sense of fulfillment because they know they are affecting a child's life in a positive way. Also the ‘Bigs’ get to be a kid again and know at least two hours per week they can just goof off. That really helps the stress levels of everyday life.”

Not only does Schermacher work at the local organization, but also she is a criminal justice major at MSSU.

“I have been interested in criminal justice for as long as I can remember,” said Schermacher. “I want to make the community a safer place to live, and, more specifically, take care of our future generation so they will not be worse off than we are. I want to start off in basic law enforcement and make my way to child abuse investigator. Then, I want to work in the homicide division. Eventually, my goal is to work federally in the FBI or DEA.”

Since the age of 3, she has been dancing. Schermacher said she loves ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap and pointe.

“I hope to get back on pointe soon because I took a break for about six years throughout high school and the beginning of my college career,” said Schermacher. “Now I am back in it at the Dancer's Studio in Carthage and I love it. My teacher, Danielle Doubet, is phenomenal. I have learned so much from her this past semester.”

In the meantime, she is planning for her wedding to Kamaron Rackleff on April 25, 2009.

“We have known each other since high school and he is the love of my life,” Schermacher said. “I am so blessed to have found a man like him. He goes to Crowder College and is studying to get his EMT license. Eventually, he wants to become a firefighter. We have two dogs, Tiki (yorkie/pom) and Dora (Jack Russel Terrier). They are like our kids. I don't know what we would do without them. We go back home (Northwest Arkansas) about every other weekend if we can to spend time with friends and family.”