Big Brothers Big Sisters MakesAn Impact on Kids & Grownups

Volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters spend time with kids, helping them to grow into successful adults. The local affiliate matches children with adults who share interests in sports, books, art, theater, science, and other pursuits.

By Rob Sample

Research has long established that adult mentors play an important role in guiding vulnerable kids on the path to successful adulthood. Locally, it’s Ann Ellsworth’s mission to match young people with just the right grownups to help show them the way.

Last September, Ellsworth became the new CEO of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam, following 18 years directing the Putnam/Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center, located in Mahopac. The Westchester/Putnam affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters, established in 1958, is one of 238 groups like it across the U.S., all of which serve kids from age 7 through 17.

April is National Volunteer Month, so it’s especially appropriate to trumpet the good work that Big Brothers Big Sisters does for kids and the community at large. Ellsworth is in an enviable position, as her organization has enlisted plenty of volunteers among Putnam and Westchester residents, and she’s now spreading the word about how the organization can help kids in need – particularly in semi-rural locales such as Putnam County.

“Most bigs, our adult volunteers, work one-on-one with littles, the children with whom they are matched,” she explained. “Relationships usually last multiple years, and quite often, those relationships continue beyond the age 17 cutoff point.”

Ellsworth described the local Big Brothers Big Sisters as the hub in the mentor/mentee matching process.

“Our volunteer mentors undergo extensive interviews and background checks, and we try to match adults with kids based on a child’s interests,” she said. “Multiple training sessions are required as well… We look at what kids like to do during the day, such as art, sports, or theater. Having an adult match mentor who shares those interests helps with the development of a good relationship, which helps the child benefit the most.”

In recruiting volunteers, the organization puts strong emphasis on availability during after-school hours. Ellsworth pointed out that 80 percent of the children served by this organization come from single-parent households.

“We don’t hear the term ‘latchkey kids’ much anymore, but plenty of kids still spend time by themselves in the afternoon hours,” said Ellsworth. “They are at a vulnerable time in their lives and can easily be sucked in by negative influences when they lack an adult presence.”

What do bigs and littles do during the times they meet?

Some opt to meet at a local library or at a local YMCA, where the adult volunteer might provide homework help. Other pairs attend sporting events, or engage on their own in one-on-one basketball, bowling, skating at a rink, or hitting a few baseballs.

Theatrically-minded pairs might enjoy attending a play at school or in a community theater. And once a good bond is formed, mentor-mentee pairs might enjoy dinner together or impromptu visits to a local ice cream parlor.

Ongoing training – both in person and online – ensures the adults who volunteer as big brothers and big sisters learn important skills to help them better develop as a youth mentor. One recent session explored what childhood anxiety looks like.

“There is extensive training available through our local staff, as well as online through our national organization,” said Ellsworth. “And we’re always adding new training topics.”

Among nonprofit service organizations, Big Brothers Big Sisters boasts an enviable success rate. While being a national organization provides name recognition, 90 percent of the local affiliate’s funds come from donors within Westchester and Putnam counties.

“Our local supporters recognize that we serve kids who live right here in our own communities,” said Ellsworth.

Parents who want more information about signing their child up for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and interested adult volunteers, may visit bigswestchester.org or call 914-937-3779.