Big Brothers Big Sisters of Worcester County, Inc.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Worcester County's mission is to enhance the quality of life of children in need by matching these boys and girls with responsible and caring volunteers in professionally supported mentoring relationships.

Description:
Big Brothers Big Sisters is best known for matching grownups and kids, Big Brothers and Big Sisters get together with their little brothers and sisters about once a week, doing things they both enjoy. Whether they shoot baskets, play catch, bake cookies or go for a walk, the emphasis is on spending time together, and the implicit message to the children is, "You are worth my time."
The relationships that develop as "Bigs" and "Littles" share these everyday activities have an important and lasting impact on their lives. National research has shown that kids at risk benefit from such relationships; we've seen for ourselves the difference a caring Big Brother or Big Sister can make in the life of a child.
Our School Based Mentoring Program brings a variety of volunteers-- students from area colleges, UMass Medical School, high school students and employee groups to Worcester elementary schools serving at-risk children:
Guidance counselors with parental approval refer the "Littles" to the program. They meet one on one once a week with the volunteers after school where the "Bigs" help them with homework, play games in the gym, or do arts and crafts projects.
Our Site Based Program matches volunteer Big Brothers and Big Sisters with children at Boys and Girls Club of Worcester.

History:
In 1963 seven Worcester businessmen began Big Brothers of Worcester County. In 1976, Big Brothers of Worcester County became a United Way agency. Two years later, Ben Ticho was named Executive Director. In the same year, 1978, Big Brothers Big Sisters became a member agency of the United Way of Westborough. With more than 1,000 children provided with Big Brothers and Big Sisters by its 20th anniversary in 1983, the agency boasted a 92% success rate. In 1984, a new program that paired juniors at St. John's High School was initiated. The agency's first ever capital campaign was completed in 1993 with the opening of the Harrington Center, a suite of offices in the Denholm building in Worcester. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Worcester County met a new challenge in 1998, a $600,000 Strategic Initiative, "Kids at Heart." This initiative was supported by 10 local foundations, as well as local businesses and community groups. The initiative brought technology into the offices, enabling Big Brothers Big Sisters to increase the number of matches while decreasing the costs for service. The agency built capacity for recurring support from the community, enhanced fund raising efforts, and at the same time maintained the program standards that earned national recognition as a model mentoring program. The introduction of computer technology includes case management software that enables staff to manage and track data associated with Big and Little matches and fund raising, The agency developed a web site receiving--and responding to-- increasing numbers of inquiries from potential volunteers online. Big Brothers Big Sisters surpassed its goal of serving 66% more youngsters annually by 2002. In 2000 the School Based Program was launched volunteers from Holy Cross College--the lacrosse team and its coach who volunteer as John's Brothers in memory of their teammate John Price. This past year was an historic year for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Worcester County: the agency provided more than 200 boys and girls with Big Brothers and Big Sisters--the most matches ever made in a single year in the organization's 39-year history. In 2002 the agency launched its newest program based at Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. Since the agency began 39 years ago, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Worcester County has matched more than 2,500 children with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Contact people:

Ben Ticho, Executive Director, 508-752-7868, (email) Lillyanna Peniza, Case Manager, 508-752-7868, (email)

Office fax number: 508-752-7316

Address:

484 Main St., Suite 360 Worcester, MA 01608 (See a map)

Web Site: http://bbbsworc.org

Directions:

From the NORTH Take Rt. 495 to RT. 290 West to Exit 18. This Exit is marked RT. 9, Leicester/Westboro. At end of Exit ramp turn right onto LINCOLN ST. Lincoln Street becomes Worcester Center Boulevard. Police Headquarters will be on the. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: Main St. Worcester, 0 minute walk

Last updated on January 23, 2009