Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts Celebrates Our Mentors This National Volunteer Month

Big Brother Ryan and Little Brother Caleb with the 2018 Red Sox World Series Trophy

April is National Volunteer Month, which is a time to celebrate the outstanding contributions of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts volunteer mentors who provide children with one-to-one relationships. Volunteers, or Bigs, are caring adults who help youth reach their fullest potential. Ryan Faria is a volunteer mentor and is among nearly 4,000 Bigs this year making a difference in young lives with whom the agency is celebrating this National Volunteer Month.

Check out Faria’s story in the Lowell Sun: https://www.lowellsun.com/2024/04/27/the-five-minute-read-985/

With research and proven outcomes at its core, BBBSEM creates Big-Little matches based on shared interests, geography and personality and serves as a consistent resource for Bigs, Littles and their families. Children are paired with mentors across Eastern Massachusetts from the Merrimack Valley to Cape Cod and the Islands.

Faria has been a Big to Little Brother Caleb, 10, for nearly one year. “For me, being a Big has been an awesome experience,” says Faria. “I get to spend time with Caleb doing fun things we both enjoy like attending sporting events, bike riding, going to local parks, bowling and much more. The opportunity to give back to someone is amazing, but the feeling of being a part of a younger person’s life and watching them grow and develop is worth so much more than words can describe.”

A national study of 950 youth from eight Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies showed that positive relationships between Littles and their Bigs have a direct and measurable impact on children’s lives. The study found that Big Brothers Big Sisters’ matches consistently spend more time together, and continue as a match for longer periods, than those in other mentoring programs. Results also showed Bigs help Littles learn right from wrong, make better life choices, do better in school and advance to the next grade level.

Anyone can become a Big as the agency welcomes youth and adults of all races, ethnicities, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, and physical abilities. Volunteers must be 18 years old or older and be able to commit a few hours a few times a month for at least a year and have a passion for positively impacting a young person’s life.

In 2024, BBBSEM celebrates 75 years of service across the region. Over the past seven decades, the nonprofit has supported more than 25,000 youth.

BBBSEM is now enrolling and matching Littles and Bigs. For more information, to become a volunteer or to register your children, visit: www.emassbigs.org.