These Maine Big Brothers Big Sisters Stories Will Warm Your Heart

Years ago, Sabin Lomac was a rebellious youth in a single-parent home, getting in trouble over drinking, drugs, graffiti and fighting in Maine.

Getting paired with a "big" through Big Brothers Big Sisters helped him find more productive ways to fill the time while his mother was away or busy, according to NBC Los Angeles. His mentor was a Coast Guard specialist stationed in his town, so they spent their time together doing simple things like attending soccer games and talking.

Their bond stood the test of time as Lomac got a scholarship, went to college and started Cousins Maine Lobster with his cousin. Lomac also served as his mentor's best man in his wedding and his son's middle name is Sabin. Meanwhile, his food truck business expanded "from one food truck in Los Angeles to 18 across the country and a restaurant in West Hollywood," according to NBC Los Angeles.

Now, Lomac is a "big brother" to an at-risk youth himself, active on his local Big Brothers Big Sisters organization's board and co-founder of a charity that raises money and awareness for his favorite cause.

Here's a look at some other Big Brothers Big Sisters relationships that will warm your heart:

Getting started with mentoring is easy. You don't need any special skills or a background in mentoring or education, you really just need the time and desire to connect with a local boy or girl. (There is a huge need for men to mentor at-risk boys and a waiting list of children waiting to be paired with mentors.)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine has three programs for mentoring:

• A traditional model where you're matched with a youth based on personality and interest and you schedule your own activities together
• A school-based program where the "big" comes to the little's school during the school day
• Big Readers Program where the "littles" come to the worksite for one hour each week to read and engage with their Bigs. These types of work-based programs can be found at Dead River Company and other area businesses.

The commitment is typically one or two hours a week, although organizers ask mentors to continue for at least a year. (Longer is definitely welcome and encouraged!)

Ready to get started on a meaningful mentoring journey? Click here to learn more or call 207-773-5437.