The Observer, February 2, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 15
Case students find little siblings away from home
On any given day in Wade Fireside, students are seen cramming for calculus, organic chemistry, and comparative politics exams. On Monday afternoons, however, one is more likely to see students getting help in algebra or social studies through volunteers for the Case chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is in its first year at Case, but it is has already grown into a well-respected and influential campus organization. The undergraduate chapter of BBBS is through Greek Life and grew from the Law School's chapter, which has been on campus since 2000.
The undergraduate chapter of BBBS is dedicated to providing mentoring and tutoring to the students of Apex Academy, a charter school with a mostly African-American student population. The parents of the students in Apex sign up the children for BBBS, but ultimately, the school puts each child through a screening process to make sure the student's needs can and will be met.
Each Monday, Apex students and Case volunteers meet from 4-5:15 p.m. in the Wade Fireside Room. The students and mentors are paired in a one-to-one ratio so that each child receives special attention and help. The hour and fifteen minutes is always broken into two halves, the first for school related work, and the second for games, snacks, and playtime.
The current BBBS liaison in charge of the undergraduate chapter is Jessica Arteaga, a senior member of Sigma Psi sorority. After volunteering for BBBS through the Law School, Arteaga became involved with the beginning stages of the undergraduate chapter.
"I initially became involved with the program because of a sorority sister who was serving as the liaison at the time," said Arteaga.
Now Arteaga directs over 21 volunteers for the program who logged a combined 150 hours last semester, the first semester the program ran. Arteaga said that she is very passionate about youth and higher education. She'd like to see more children succeed in high school and college, and BBBS seems to be a way to pursue that goal. She also said that the program allows the children participants to turn to someone other than parents in the event of a personal problem or crisis.
Senior Sarah Hirschhorn started volunteering last semester with the program through Sigma Psi. "I want to be a teacher, but I don't know what ages or grades. Big Brothers Big Sisters gives me a great experience with children," she said.
Hirschhorn likes being a positive role model for her little sister and having an impact on her life. It's also nice that the program allows the children to plan for the future and college, she said.
Senior Phil Polito has also volunteered since last semester. He became involved through his fraternity, Sigma Chi, but has different reasons for volunteering.
"I was the youngest in my family, so I don't have too much experience with kids. But I really enjoy coming every week to relax for a while and get away from the books," he said.
Polito's little brother, Aaron Jones, just started the program this year, but he already loves the program: "I get somebody to help me with my homework," said Jones.
Liza Bailey, a sophomore, also enjoys the chance to get away from school work: "It's an hour a week I can play and have fun! Plus, I want to pursue something in Child Psychology, so my involvement in the program is very applicable to the field. I've also gained a life-long friend in the process, Kaliya."
Bailey's little sister, Kaliya Smith, is nine years old and is currently in fourth grade. Smith gets homework help from Bailey every week, but her first priority every week is to "give Liza a big hug!"
Case's undergraduate chapter of BBBS is just one of thousands of centers across the country dedicated to mentoring children from under-privileged homes. Big Brothers Big Sisters has seen over a century of positive role models for children 6-18 years old. Children actively participating in the program are 46 percent less likely to being using illegal drugs, 27 percent less likely to begin using alcohol, and 52 percent less likely to skip school, according to the BBBS website.
In Cleveland alone, over 1500 children were involved with the program last year, yet the number of children still needing personal mentors continues to grow. The Case chapter of BBBS currently has five young boys still in need of male mentors. Arteaga said that anyone who wants to have fun and likes working with children is a good match for the program.
