ON ISLAND
Mentoring "Bigs" and "Littles"
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Martha's Vineyard
By Anne McCarthy Strauss
Imagine a seven-year-old who has lived on the Vineyard all her life who has never been to the Flying Horses or visited a farm. The girl is one of 60 sets of “Bigs” and “Littles” paired by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Martha's Vineyard. She recently visited both venues with her Big Sister. Equally important, she is building a relationship with a caring adult who volunteers her time simply to spend time with a child who needs it.
The time commitment involved in being a Big Brother or Big Sister is less than one might imagine. Volunteers pledge to devote four hours a month – either an hour a week or two hours biweekly – to their Little Brother or Little Sister. That time can be spent going to a special destination the child would enjoy or simply baking cookies or walking on a beach together.
“It’s not just about going places, it’s about having a friend and a mentor,” said Betsy Hauk, a retired teacher, who has worked as a case manager for the organization for three years. “I noticed the help my students who participated in the program got from their Bigs when I was teaching,” she said. “I have been thrilled to have the opportunity to work directly for Big Brothers Big Sisters since my retirement from teaching.”
Connie Alexander, now Chairman of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Martha’s Vineyard, began her involvement with helping young people by bringing teenagers into her home through foster care in the 1980s. Connie’s responsibilities include involvement in many of the organization’s fund-raising activities.
“There is a spirit of generosity on the Vineyard that has opened its doors to us and supported us in our efforts to hold fund-raising activities throughout the year,” Connie said. “The generosity ranges from venues like the Atlantic Connection and The Wharf, which open their doors to us, and individuals such as the Douglas family who give our kids a trip on the Alabama every fall. Other events include our holiday party, beach cook-outs, golf tournaments, auctions and sponsored runs.”
Big Sister Amy Padalino Heil worked for the organization for six years and is now mentoring her second Little Sister. “My first ‘Little’ is away at college now, and we stay in touch. I’m now matched with a theatrically and musically talented 13-year-old. I love to go watch her perform.”
Such support and time is hard for the children’s families to provide. Whether a child lives with a single parent, grandparents, two parents who are juggling multiple jobs, or with another relative or friend, free time is scarce for the parents and guardians of the children enrolled in the program. Mentors range from young men and women, some of whom were involved in the program as children, to empty nesters, and people who are raising children of their own.
“Everyone has unique reasons for becoming a “Big,”said Betsy Hauk. “The adults in the program get just as much out of it as the kids do. We have many children waiting. If we had more volunteers, we’d recruit more kids.”
The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Martha's Vineyard is to match children, aged six through teens, to dedicated adult volunteers who will provide friendship and one-to-one mentoring to children. For information on becoming a “Big” or a “Little,” contact Betsy Hauk at 508.696.5497.
The time commitment involved in being a Big Brother or Big Sister is less than one might imagine. Volunteers pledge to devote four hours a month – either an hour a week or two hours biweekly – to their Little Brother or Little Sister. That time can be spent going to a special destination the child would enjoy or simply baking cookies or walking on a beach together.
“It’s not just about going places, it’s about having a friend and a mentor,” said Betsy Hauk, a retired teacher, who has worked as a case manager for the organization for three years. “I noticed the help my students who participated in the program got from their Bigs when I was teaching,” she said. “I have been thrilled to have the opportunity to work directly for Big Brothers Big Sisters since my retirement from teaching.”
Connie Alexander, now Chairman of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Martha’s Vineyard, began her involvement with helping young people by bringing teenagers into her home through foster care in the 1980s. Connie’s responsibilities include involvement in many of the organization’s fund-raising activities.
“There is a spirit of generosity on the Vineyard that has opened its doors to us and supported us in our efforts to hold fund-raising activities throughout the year,” Connie said. “The generosity ranges from venues like the Atlantic Connection and The Wharf, which open their doors to us, and individuals such as the Douglas family who give our kids a trip on the Alabama every fall. Other events include our holiday party, beach cook-outs, golf tournaments, auctions and sponsored runs.”
Big Sister Amy Padalino Heil worked for the organization for six years and is now mentoring her second Little Sister. “My first ‘Little’ is away at college now, and we stay in touch. I’m now matched with a theatrically and musically talented 13-year-old. I love to go watch her perform.”
Such support and time is hard for the children’s families to provide. Whether a child lives with a single parent, grandparents, two parents who are juggling multiple jobs, or with another relative or friend, free time is scarce for the parents and guardians of the children enrolled in the program. Mentors range from young men and women, some of whom were involved in the program as children, to empty nesters, and people who are raising children of their own.
“Everyone has unique reasons for becoming a “Big,”said Betsy Hauk. “The adults in the program get just as much out of it as the kids do. We have many children waiting. If we had more volunteers, we’d recruit more kids.”
The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Martha's Vineyard is to match children, aged six through teens, to dedicated adult volunteers who will provide friendship and one-to-one mentoring to children. For information on becoming a “Big” or a “Little,” contact Betsy Hauk at 508.696.5497.