Big differences

One organization is aiming to put the bright futures of children in the hands of UB students.

Representatives from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) set up in the Flag Room of the Student Union on Tuesday to hand out flyers and applications to recruit mentors for disadvantaged children.

According to BBBSA, "Big Brothers" and "Big Sisters" can keep their "littles" out of trouble, give them more confidence and strengthen the relationships with their family members just by spending as little as four hours with them each month.

Michelle George, the event coordinator, explained that the program supports many youths coming from single-parent homes that don't receive a lot of one-on-one time.

"Bigs" who have been screened and trained usually play board games, bake cookies or shoot hoops with their "littles" during their quality time together, George said.

George explained that this is a simple way to help the community.

"Making big changes really starts small like what our organization does in developing one-on-one relationships," George said.

Local students can become mentors through the Erie County BBBS, which has matched over 4,500 youths with mentors since 1971.

"Here at UB, there are about 80 to 90 people whom are students, faculty, and staff, [and] are involved in the BBBS organization," George said. "About 50 students are involved in the Site Based Program, while the other 30 to 40 are involved in the Community Based Mentoring."

The Site Based Program provides rides for students without the transportation means looking to get involved with BBBSA. Under the program, a mentor meets once a week with his or her "little" for 10 months and must be at least 16 years of age.

The Community Based Mentoring Program provides a flexible time where the mentor sets up the time and meeting place. This program runs for a year and the volunteer must be at least 18 years of age.

Helene White, a senior health and human services major, became a Big Sister last year after stumbling upon a recruiting event in the S.U. She met up with her "little" once a week for a year and gained patience, activism and creativity from her experience, she said.

"I was walking around the Student Union last year and saw that there was an office on the third floor that had information about the BBBS program," White said. "I like that they make it accessible for students without a car by providing transportation."

Although time was not an issue for White, it seemed to be an issue for other students.

"It's a good program, but it takes a lot of dedication," said Tom King, a computer science major, at the event. "I don't know if I can put that time in."

Kristen Mazurkiewicz, another UB student who attended the event, said she loved the idea of the program, but the time commitment is holding her back from volunteering.

Many people stopped by the recruiting event for food and cookies. "Big Brothers" and "Big Sisters" from UB were not available for most of the event to help represent the organization.

"I don't know why there are none here," George said. "Two [students] came in before, but I'm sure it's hard for people to stop by with classes all day."