| Last updated on May 19, 2008 |
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay’s mission is to promote the healthy development of children through the nurturing of continuing, one-to-one friendships with caring, responsible adults, supported by trained professional staff.
Description:
As one of the largest adult-to-child mentoring organizations in the nation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay currently serves over 3,500 youth in one-to-one relationships, and more than 100 additional youth in group activities and camperships. Our service area encompasses 155 cities and towns throughout the Massachusetts Bay area. Currently located in 10 offices, our staff of nearly 100 employees supports these children, their families and the friendships they form with caring adult volunteers.
History:
On December 28, 1902, Judge Julius M. Mayer of the New York Children’s Court asked 90 influential men to promise to each befriend one boy who had been before his court. His request gave birth to the Big Brother Movement. Judge Mayer’s philosophy remains as the basic mission of the Big Brother Association: that a responsible adult helps a child through a one-to-one friendship.
In 1906, Cincinnati businessman Irvin Westheimer saw a young boy and his dog taking food from a garbage can. Upon further investigation, Westheimer found that the boy’s father had abandoned the family and that the mother was struggling to keep her children together. Westheimer befriended the boy, and after regular visits, found that there were many other boys in similar circumstances. He then convinced other men to get involved on a one-to-one basis with these needy boys. Eventually, these boys began to call their adult friends Big Brothers. The idea now had a name.
The idea spread across the country and in 1948 a group of community leaders met at the Boston City Club to discuss their concern for the youth of Boston. From that meeting, the Big Brothers of Massachusetts Bay was formed in 1949. Created as a non-sectarian, interracial, interfaith service, in its first year, 10 Big Brothers were assigned to Little Brothers at a cost of $9,277.
Since then, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay has served nearly 10,000 children.
Contact person: Volunteer Enrollment Team, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (617) 542-8855
Address:
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75 Federal St 5th Fl
Boston, MA 02110
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.bbbsmb.org
Directions:
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http://www.bbbsmb.org/who_directions.html
Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Downtown Crossing,
Walk distance (in minutes): 2 |
Miscellaneous Information
| What is the type of the agency? |
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501(c)(3)
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| Does the agency conduct CORI checks? |
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Yes
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Volunteer Reflections
Post Your Own!
Overall Experience
Great opportunity to share rewarding experiences and friendship and to make a difference in the life of a child.
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Big Brother/Big Sister of Massachusetts Bay matches men and women volunteers of all ages with boy and girls aged 7-14. No experience is required - just a commitment to spend a couple of hours every 2 weeks with your "Little". The "Big" is simply a friend; someone to play games with, go to museums or sporting events, or just someone to talk to.
I started being a Big Brother at the age of 60. With my own children having grown up, this is a very worthwhile way to spend available time. Over the past five years, I have seen my "Little" grow and acquire new interests. To the extent that I may have helped in some way, is something I am very proud of.
If you choose to volunteer, you will find Big Brother/Big Sister of Massachusetts Bay to be very supportive. It is social service organization of the highest quality, with excellent staff and resources to help you carry out your commitment.
posted by twelgoss on April 29, 2008 |
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