Grant Helps Sioux County Agency Fill Dreams:

As a little girl, Jill Klein grew up in Sioux County, Iowa. As an adult Jill (Klein) Colling wishes she had the opportunities that she's recently helped create for Sioux County children.

"I said we have to make this happen," Colling explained of the local Big Brothers Big sisters of Sioux County branch. "I know I would have loved to of been a big sister when I was in high school, and I didn't have that opportunity, because it didn't exist."

Now this Sioux County native is the President and CEO of the non-profit organization designed to empower children and bring a smile to the faces of mentors in Hawarden, Alton, Granville, Hospers, Sioux Center and Orange City.

"I took over the agency in '05, and I thought I want to give back to my community, my home community," Colling explained. "So, that's why I wanted this in Sioux County."

A New Agency
Colling's dream became a reality when the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sioux County branch opened its doors in Orange City in August of 2006. The program is located in the old hospital building in Orange City.

"I'm from Granville, so I understand it. There are kids that are dealing with issues right there in Sioux County. Low self-confidence is huge. If you don't have that, it's hard to get where you need to be," Colling explained.

"We did receive funding a couple of years ago from the Hawarden Community Foundation, so that is really what helped us get established there," the Granville native explained.

And just a few days ago, the Sioux County facility received more great news.

"We did just receive a grant from the Iowa Department of Public Health to do mentoring services in Sioux County. It's all for Sioux County," Colling explained of the three year grant that went into effect on July 1.

"That (grant) will help them match more children with a screened and trained adult role model."

Hawarden Children are Waiting
Now, the local agency is looking for a few more mentors.

"We have kids waiting in Hawarden right now, on a waiting list, for mentors. We have twelve kids waiting there and two current matches," Colling said.