ABN Member Spotlight: Big Brothers Big Sisters of East TN Mentor Heath Trentham
By Sam on April 08, 2016
For Heath Trentham, a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee and Partner Services Coordinator at the Vol Network, every day of work is an opportunity to make a difference in the community.
“First and foremost, it’s human nature to help your fellow man. My entire life I was raised to help and love others, and it was plain to see that everyone working at the Vol Network was out in the community to help others.”
However, Heath could not imagine not working in the nonprofit world, and found his passion in working with people. “What really got me into nonprofit work was Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee,” he says. For the past two and a half years, he has volunteered as a Big Brother in the program.
“It has honestly been one of the most redeeming and fulfilling experiences of my entire life,” says Heath. As a Big Brother, Heath says he loves being able to offer the support and encouragement for kids to be successful. “These kids don’t always have the privilege or the luck that some kids have to succeed, and it’s great as a mentor to be able to give those kids the extra help or push they need.”
The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-on-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.
Heath has also been involved with Young Professionals of Knoxville and hopes to get more involved with the United Way Young Leaders Society. “In order for Knoxville to thrive and grow, people have to help each other. We go from there and we grow from there.”
He encourages everyone to find out more about volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters or any organization that they are passionate about, and to take advantage of resources in the community, such as the Alliance for Better Nonprofits.
To learn more about volunteering as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee, visit their website at www.tennesseebig.org.