Changing Lives, One Child at a Time

It’s a program that’s been around for 114 years and one time or another we’ve all heard about a Big Brother or Big Sister helping in the community. But if you’re like me, you’ve had little knowledge of how necessary the mentoring and services of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth and Middlesex Counties (BBBS) have become, or how many opportunities there are to get involved and help.

Big Sister Cassie and Little Sister Jordan

Started in Monmouth County in 1976, and expanded to include Middlesex County in 2011, literally thousands of children have been guided by the organization. Currently there are 700 children being served with 1-to-1 mentoring and many more on the waiting list due to a lack of adult volunteers. By placing children in a quality mentoring relationship, BBBS can provide them with the tools they need to become competent, confident, and caring members of their community.

January was designated as National Mentoring Month, but the need children have exists every month of the year. BBBS is funded mainly through community support, meaning the agency receives little government funding. Relying on the generosity of volunteers, the agency is two-fold: funds to recruit, screen, train, and match the volunteer mentors with a child; and volunteers to step up and make a 1-year commitment to be a mentor four to six hours per month. Because of the large number of boys on the waiting list, male mentors are especially in need.

“We are changing our community for the better – one child at a time,” says Marybeth Bull, director of development for the BBBS. “The kids who are being mentored are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as tobacco, drug, and alcohol use, and are more likely to avoid violence. Instead, they feel more confident, do better in school, and know that they have a friend in their Big with an ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on, and who pushes them in the right direction.”

To keep things exciting and stimulate learning and bonding, BBBS offers free activities that Bigs, Littles, and children waiting to be matched can attend. The activities are usually on a monthly basis and include parties, cooking classes, and career exploration. The Beyond School Walls program has Monmouth University students and employees of Monmouth Medical Center mentoring Asbury Park High School students. Sessions are every other week and expose the high school students to both college and career opportunities.

Big Brother Joshua and Little Brother Daniel

“Our program is life-changing for both the child and their Big,” says Bull. “The child’s self-esteem, grades, and relationships often improve, and they can see success in their future. The Bigs get to see life through the eyes of a child again and feel good about making a positive impact on a young life.”

To learn more, or to get involved, visit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties at bbbsmmc.org.