University of Virginia Library

Big Brother

By Scott Gleason

From its modest beginnings two years ago
with only a handful of volunteers, the Big
Brother Program has expanded into a
far-reaching community-wide service with over
250 Big Brothers and Sisters. Working with
boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 15, Big
Brothers and Sisters try to provide adult
guidance to those who are in some way
deprived by their surroundings and lack a
meaningful adult-child relationship.

Their most important function is being a
friend and companion. The concern of the
volunteer is to help raise the child's self-esteem
and self-confidence and to help him realize that
he is "somebody" who is capable of forming
satisfying personal relationships.

Volunteers work on a one-to-one basis
meeting with their "little" brothers and sisters
at least once a week. The time schedule is
generally flexible, depending on how the
relationship develops. Activities vary according
to each individual match. Madison Hall has
arranged free admission to certain sporting
events and sponsors parties and picnics for the
participants in the program.

The benefits obtained from the Big
Brother-Big Sister relationship are as varied as
they are immeasurable. But they are probably
seen most graphically in the accepting smile of
a child who is finding out what it really means
to have a friend and to be a friend.