Imagine you are given the opportunity to change a life, to become a stabilizing influence and role model for a child from a broken home, struggling in school and facing a bleak future. It would only take a few hours of your time and yet it could significantly change a child's life.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County mentoring program provides the opportunity to do just that. Based in Buffalo, it is the largest mentoring program in the country and has been matching adults with children in the local community for nearly 35 years.
Corinne Coen, a professor from the UB School of Management, has a "little sister" through the program who is 8 years old.
"You can really make a difference in a kid's life. You might offer the child new experiences," said Coen, who spends one afternoon or evening each week with her little sister, doing various activities. "And you get to rediscover the joys of coloring, doing puzzles and eating French fries."
The idea of Big Brothers Big Sisters is that by spending a few hours together each week, the big brother or sister can become a friend, teacher and role model to their child, who may be underprivileged and vulnerable.
There are over 30 "bigs" from the UB community, including students, professors and staff.
Paul Mitrani, a Ph.D. student, said his role as a big brother to a boy named DJ has been beneficial for both of them.
"DJ and I have become much closer, which I think is amazing considering his initial reluctance to open up," said Mitrani. "Knowing that he trusts me and looks up to me is something that makes me feel like I'm helping him reach beyond his surroundings. I have been told by his grandmother and teachers that he cares a lot about what I think, and tries to make me proud."
Big Brothers Big Sisters matches volunteers with children, and the agency maintains regular contact with both the "big," the "little" and the family.
Michelle George, volunteer recruitment specialist for the program and a UB alumna, is very keen to stress the value of UB's role in the program.
"College students make good volunteers due to their energy and enthusiasm for creating a better community," said George. "We see the great impact UB people make in our community by caring about local at-risk youth."
The relationship is built on trust and communication, and the "big" is there to listen to their child's stories or problems, help them out with their school work and point them in the right direction on a larger scale. "Bigs" and "littles" do any number of activities, from going to the movies and the park to reading at home.
"We make cookies or play computer games or go to the mall or the Art Museum," said Coen of her little sister. "She especially likes arts and crafts."
"DJ enjoys the new things he can do with me," said Mitrani. "When I am doing research, he likes it when he gets to come and help me in the lab."
The program has found that children who have older role models in their lives are more likely to get along with their families. According to Big Brothers Big Sisters, the kids who participate are 46 percent less likely to end up using illegal drugs and 57 percent less likely to skip school. Their confidence in their schoolwork also improves.
Volunteers, who choose to become big brothers or sisters, are screened and trained before being assigned a child to mentor. Anyone from the age of 18 upwards is welcome to apply, from any race, religion or job occupation, from students to retirees.
"Bigs" are asked to make a commitment of at least one year to build a relationship with their child. However, for people who may not have enough time, the program also holds weekly site-based events where they plan recreational, educational and cultural events.
Paul Mitrani got involved originally because he grew up surrounded by siblings and cousins, and he said he realized not everyone had the same opportunities he did.
"When I heard about the program, I thought that it would be a good opportunity to hang out with different kids and help them to experience new things that they may not have the chance to," said Mitrani. "I also think as a mentor I can help point out all of the possibilities that life holds for everyone if you're willing to take advantage of them."
