Mentoring Project Targets Eastside School in Niles

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass announced that its Lunch Buddy
Program at Eastside School in Niles will be enhanced during the 2009-2010
school year with the addition of a group of retired teachers who will be
serving as mentors in the Lunch Buddy program there.

Although retired teachers will be the targeted volunteer group, all adults
in the community are welcome. Volunteer mentors or "Lunch Buddies" will
each be matched with one child at the school (aged 6-11) whose parents give
permission for involvement.


The Lunch Buddy Big Brothers or Big Sisters will spend one lunch hour per
week with their Little Brother or Little Sister, sometimes coming in early
or staying after lunch to work on academic subjects with the child. The
mentors may come to the school any day of the week that works with theirs
and the school's schedule. Lunch Buddies are not parent substitutes or
counselors: they become a friend to the child; they are good listeners; and
they can help the child begin to frame ideas about his/her future. Larry
Sehy, a Niles resident and key community partner in the project, stated "our
children need good life examples, and what better ones than those who served
the community in educating our youth."

A recent 2009 Harris Poll, conducted on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters
of America, concluded that adults mentored as children through Big Brothers
Big Sisters programs are more likely than peers with similar backgrounds but
not involved in the program to have college degrees; to have incomes of
$75,000 or more; and to have stronger relationships with spouses, children
and friends. Also, adult alumni of Big Brothers Big Sisters programs are
17% more likely to be engaged in their communities as volunteers themselves.

The Eastside School Lunch Buddy Program will begin on Monday, September 21st
at the school. Volunteers interested in becoming Lunch Buddies will be
recruited this summer in order to be ready to be matched when school begins.
Interested prospective volunteers may call the Big Brothers Big Sisters
office in Niles at 269.684.1100 to apply or to ask questions. Application
materials can also be e-mailed by contacting BBBS at info@bbbsofbc.org.

Funded by community grants, the Eastside School program, will serve as a
prototype for other schools in the region that may want to take on a similar
program. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass is a United Way
partner agency, believing that Little Moments=Big Magic=Huge Impact.

Kathryn S. Rossow

Executive Director

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass

P.O. Box 194, Niles, MI 49120

269.684.1100

Toll free: 877.367.2244

Fax: 269.684.1490

krossow@bbbsofbc.org

www.bbbsofbc.org



"When you change the world of a child, you change the world."