Born in South Korea and raised in Lake Oswego, Noelle Miller was adopted by an American family through Holt International Children’s Services, an international adoption and child welfare organization.
Miller, now an architecture major and member of the Asian Pacific American Student Union, is one of the volunteers involved in APASU’s new Big Brother Big Sister program, said Sugie Hong, co-director of APASU. Established this term, the program pairs APASU members with Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese children, ages four to 14, who have been adopted by local families.
“They don’t have a chance to be with other Asian people, especially in the Eugene-Springfield area, because the population of Asians is so low,” Hong said.
Hong and her older sister, Anny, established a similar program in 1995 at South Eugene High School. Hong, a sophomore chemistry major, brought the program to the University because of its success at South Eugene and the support it received from parents.
Hong said APASU has heard from about 30 interested children already. She added that her 14-year-old “little sister,” Miah Edson, who is of Korean descent, has grown up with Hong as her mentor.
“In the beginning it was just small talk, but now she tells me all her secrets,” Hong said. “We have that special bond. She doesn’t have an Asian role model who is like her, and this program gives her that.”
Laura Xu, a junior journalism major and a “big sister” in the program, said the concept of Big Brother Big Sister is good, but the group needs to host more activities. The program’s first and only event so far was an Easter egg hunt in Hendricks Park on April 7. While decorating eggs, the 10 pairs who were matched up became acquainted.
“It provides an opportunity for them to get to know someone of their own ethnicity,” Xu said.
Joe Clifford said his four-year-old adopted daughter Anya, who is of Asian descent, participated in the first event. Clifford and his wife Jantina, a University graduate student, adopted Anya three years ago. He said some of his daughter’s adopted friends also attended the egg hunt, and it gave the children a way to keep in touch with their heritage. Clifford said he hopes his daughter will continue to stay in touch with the APASU students involved in the program as she gets older.
Susan Soon-keum Cox, the vice president of Holt International Children’s Services, said while adopted families can provide love and support for their children, they cannot always provide racial and ethnic cultural connections. She said programs such as APASU’s are important because they educate families as well as members of the community.
“I think that it is very important that international children have the opportunity to stay connected to their birth culture and identity,” Cox said.
Hong said even though she will be studying in Asia and Italy next year, APASU plans to continue the Big Brother Big Sister program under new leadership.
APASU is hosting several events aside from Big Brother Big Sister program activities during May’s Asian Heritage Month. More information about the program or other events this month is available through APASU in Suite 29 of the EMU or at 346-4342.