Holy Cross Students Create "Big Magic"

Big Brothers Big Sisters, the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States, is commemorating its 100th anniversary this year with the publication of a centennial book by Beth Barrett and Alan Annis, titled Little Moments, Big Magic: Inspirational Stories of Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the Magic They Create!

The book features 100 inspirational stories of Big Brothers and Sisters, including a chapter on "John's Brothers," a group of Holy Cross men's lacrosse players who volunteered in memory of their captain, John Price, after his death in a tragic train accident in 2000.

Inspired by Price's dedication to service, the team and their coach became Big Brothers four years ago. Their involvement launched the Big Brothers Big Sisters School Based Mentor program in Worcester. The School Based Mentor program is the now flagship of the organization's special programs. An alternative to the traditional adult-child community match, the program provides one-to-one matches between young adults and students from urban elementary schools.

Today there are 170 Holy Cross students who volunteer as Big Brothers and Big Sisters at Canterbury Street School, the Accelerated Learning Laboratory (ALL School), the Worcester Boys & Girls Club, and the Nativity School of Worcester.

The "Bigs" and "Littles" get together once a week after school and work on homework, do crafts or play games. The program has been extremely successful, with data proving that mentors are making a tremendous impact on the lives of their "Littles." In addition to showing major improvements in academic performance and attitudes toward school, children showed a 90% increase in self-confidence.

Elisabeth Charnley '05 describes her involvement as a mentor through the Deaf Studies program as "the most rewarding activity" she has participated in here at Holy Cross.

"Besides giving me a chance to experience both the deaf and Worcester communities outside of the gates, my Little Sister has taught me more in a few hour-long meetings than I could learn in any classroom," she said.

The Holy Cross students' enthusiasm for mentoring has been contagious. Within the first year, Big Brothers Big Sisters doubled their number of matches and added six elementary schools to the School Based Mentor program. Today, there are more than 400 volunteer mentors from five area colleges, three high schools, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, UnumProvident and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

Little Moments, Big Magic: Inspirational Stories of Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the Magic They Create! is available through your local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency. You may also order it from the publisher by calling the Big Brothers Big Sisters office at 508-752-7868.

All proceeds from the purchase of the book will go to your local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

For additional information on volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters call 508-752-7868.

Related information: # Big Brothers Big Sisters