Staff Spotlight: Wendy Hampton
Today, we’d like to shine a special spotlight on Wendy Hampton, who works as our Site-Based Match Support Specialist for Kosciusko County. For 2 years, she has supported our Kosciusko School Buddies with her signature spirited commitment.
In her limited free time, Wendy loves nothing more than to finally spend relaxing time with her family and friends, relax at home with her husband and groovy dog (Stevie Nicks), and enjoy the sun and changing seasons. Wendy is a fun, humorous, and delightful to be around, but she does admit to having a “downfall”—she never passes up an opportunity to thrift and loves to buy things for others!
Wendy was born in Fort Wayne before her family relocated to Syracuse, which is where she spent her childhood growing up. After graduating Wawasee High School, Wendy was then off to start her career as House Manager at The Rose Home, a recovery home for women. She then acted as Care Facilitator at the Oaklawn Partnership for Children, an addiction treatment center, before moving into her role as Skills Coach at the Bashor Children’s Home, a housing center for troubled youth.
It wasn’t until Wendy became a Big Sister that she received the opportunity to become part of the BBBS team. 2 years ago, Wendy was matched with her Little Sister Alyvia, whom she loves to be there for and spend time with.
Not long after, BBBS Director of Community Development for Kosciusko County, Tammy Smith, approached Wendy and asked if she would be interested in a newly open position. Already understanding what the program was like from her experience as a Big Sister, Wendy excitedly took on the role part-time.
But her work for our agency is only one facet of Wendy’s career. For the past 15 years, Wendy and her husband, James, have also been Syracuse business owners. They took over her father’s bar/ restaurant, Hammers Pub n’ Grub, after he had owned it for 30 years.
What is unique about working in Kosciusko County?
Wendy: “I love working in Kosciusko County because it’s a wonderful community full of awesome people. What I hope to see is for more volunteers to hear about our program and to get interested in signing up.”
She loves being a business owner in her county, especially because it enables her to give back to her community in a bigger way. Each year, Wendy and James hold a parking lot sale at their business, where they sell donated items from community members.
The money they raise goes towards someone in need. For example, Hammers has raised funds to pay for a community member’s car tires, assisted with medical bills, donated to the local food pantry, funded a service dog’s training, and helped towards a young couple adopting their first baby. Wendy loves that the community is always ready to come together and support each other, and without their spirit of giving back, these outcomes would not be possible. The next parking lot sale is June 5th-7th, if anyone is interested in donating or shopping!
Hammer’s Pub and Grub also offers a price break, 30% off any menu items, to any BBBS volunteers aged 21+. Wendy’s generosity keeps her very involved at both her jobs, which can sometimes take its toll in the form of burnout.
What are some struggles you face with being both a business owner and working at BBBS?
Wendy: “Not having enough time and keeping things straight! The struggles that I have had would be setting my own boundaries with time. I am part-time with working Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with BBBS, but I love the job so much that I am willing to work on my off days just so I don’t miss out on matching a new Big and Little.”
As a Site-Based Match Support Specialist, Wendy is in charge of casework for the Bigs and Littles in the School Buddies program. These volunteers meet up with their Littles once a week at the child’s school to eat lunch, play games, or go out for recess.
Her casework entails contacting Bigs and visiting with Littles to ask how their match is doing. She encourages each match to continue getting to know each other, have fun, and communicate with her about any potential issues and setbacks. For Bigs, she typically checks in through a phone call, but her Littles require her to travel from school to school across the county. These interactions have become one of this goofy, kid-loving caseworker’s favorite parts of her job.
What is your favorite thing about your position?
Wendy: “My absolute favorite thing about working at Big Brothers Big Sisters is the matchups. Being able to match together the big and the little, the excitement on the Littles’ faces…priceless. Anything that has to do with me going into the schools and meeting with the Littles is my favorite.”
Over the course of the school year, Wendy sees Bigs and Littles each rewarded from being in School Buddies. As she has seen time and again, having someone who cares and greets you with a smile can make all the difference! Littles get to build a friendship and get away from the noise and commotion of the cafeteria, while Bigs get to know that they are making their Little’s day—just by showing up. Witnessing these relationships grow instills a rewarding feeling in Wendy, reinforcing why she has loved every element of her role.
However, it can be difficult and saddening to handle matches that must come to an end. Whether due to moving away, changing jobs, changing schools, or aging out, it can be tough to see matches say goodbye, and even tougher when they don’t get the opportunity to. Nevertheless, she continues to support these transitions and the Littles on her caseload with compassion and an uplifting attitude.
What have you learned through your time as a Match Support Specialist?
Wendy: “I think what I’ve learned from my own personal life is that children need someone, crave for attention, and just need love; the biggest gift is for someone to give their time. What I would relay to all Bigs/volunteers is a huge thank you! You may not feel like you are making a difference, but you are! I just want to encourage anyone who’s thinking about signing up, DO IT, it can be so rewarding.”
