ALBANY, OCTOBER 2, 2006 – For those who have always wanted to make a difference in the community but never knew how, the Big Brothers Big Sisters program of the Capital Region offers a few useful opportunities.

            Operating in the Capital Region for more than 40 years, the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization was founded nationally more than 60 years prior. The program works as a mentoring agency operating to successfully match youths with adults. Members of Big Brothers Big Sisters try to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-on-one relationships. The program operates in Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Saratoga Counties, and aims to serve 1,000 children by 2008.

            Matches are made based on interests, preferences, and past experiences. Each mentor and child, as well as each child’s family, is interviewed by a representative of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in the Capital Region to determine compatibility. After a match is made, officials from Big Brothers Big Sisters continually check in with the children and their mentors to make sure that both sides are comfortable with the arrangement.

            Keri Hart, the student leader of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program offered through Saint Rose, spends a lot of time recruiting other students. A Big Sister herself, Hart finds the program to be fun and extremely effective.

            “It’s rewarding for the Bigs when they have an influence on somebody’s life,” said Hart, “I think the best part is for the Littles – they get a taste of college life, and they see that there’s more to life than just graduating from high school.”

            At Saint Rose, people involved with the program meet for three hours every other Saturday, or about six times a semester.

            “We try to do something educational, but we try to do something fun along with it,” said Hart, “We’re going to a planetarium this year [on February 10^th]… I think it's going to be a fun field trip, because it's going to be really educational, but really neat and exciting too.” 

            Twelve year-old Felix Sequinot, a returning little brother from Hackett Middle school, loves coming to Saint Rose to meet with his Big Sister, Raysa Betances. A freshman at Saint Rose, Betances enjoys being a part of the program as much as her Little Brother.

            “I love being with kids,” said Betances, “[The BBBS program] gives them a role model or a friend.”

            Also a freshman at Saint Rose, Amanda Holmes and her Little Brother, Jalil Wilson, love playing computer games like Teen Titans together. Wilson, a 5^th grader at the Achievement Academy School on South Dove Street, already has two big brothers at home, but still enjoys spending time with his Big Sister every other Saturday.

            “She’s nice – she’s always great,” said Wilson.

            Other activities planned for this year’s Bigs and Littles include apple picking, hip-hop dance lessons, a Halloween party, bowling, and lessons in pet care.

            Last year, around 30 Saint Rose students signed up to be Big Brothers and Big Sisters with the program. The majority of these volunteers were female, a continuing trend that leaves little boys with fewer opportunities to be matched up with the Big Brothers that they might prefer.

            The National Organization has conducted research to determine the reasons for the lack of male participation in the program, and results have shown that men need to be subjected to an image about 45 times before the idea “clicks”. So when a man sees the sign-up for Big Brothers Big Sisters, he’ll have to see it again and again after that point before he actually decides whether or not he wants to join.

            “We have many ideas of attracting more men and are currently trying a few things out - different marketing, more of it, have current Bigs reach out, et cetera.” said Sabrina Houser, coordinator of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program of the Capital Region.

            But even though there are more Big Sisters than Big Brothers, the Big Brothers Big Sisters program continues to remain successful, and an asset to participating communities.

            Saint Rose students who are interested in joining the program can contact Kerri Hart by E-mail, or leave a note in the Big Brothers Big Sisters mailbox in the Student Affairs office. Volunteers can also contact Sabrina Houser at her office.

            “It helps to contribute to not only brighter futures, but better schools and tighter communities.” said Houser, “Some parents consider it a life saving moment – they just needed that additional help and assistance in making sure their child was on the right path, and this is their outlet to do so.”