"Bakalis Promotes Big Brothers Big Sisters"

Maria Bakalis plans to spread the word about Big Brothers/Big Sisters of DuPage County.

While the agency’s new board member may have a full schedule teaching communications and theater at Waubonsee College in Sugar Grove, working on her doctorate degree and caring for her family, she plans to make time for the agency helping children of single-parent homes.

“I felt I had something to give to youth beside teaching students at college level who have goals for life set,” she said. “So many children don’t have the mentoring that Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Big Couples provide.”

As a parent of two Glenbard West High School students, Nicole and John, Bakalis knows the importance of mentoring and parenting. Her husband, George, an associate judge of criminal cases in DuPage County, also sees the consequences of children not having the positive role model of a mentor or adult.

Bakalis said she wants all the church, club and city organizations to know she is available to talk.

“I really would like to let them know I am available to come and talk about the organization and how people can get involved and make a big difference,” she said. “People get overwhelmed, but if everyone just did one thing to help, it would make a difference.”

(Originally published in the “Daily Herald,” October 13, 1995.)