News
By Corinne Shamy
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February 17, 2004
First years who did not have a chance to get involved in volunteering last semester have not missed out yet.
The Big Siblings program, offered through Madison House, recently moved their recruitment to the spring semester and will begin recruiting for the 2004-2005 academic year within the next month.
In the past Big Siblings began recruiting in the fall, and by the time interviews, background checks, training and matches were made, the siblings would not meet each other until late October, according to Head Program Director Cris Gasperini.
"We were concerned that we weren't maximizing the time that siblings could spend together," Gasperini said.
He added that volunteers would leave for winter break just weeks after meeting their little siblings, making any substantial bond difficult.
However, under the new plan all of the background preliminary work needed to organize volunteers will be done this semester so that volunteers can meet with their little siblings early in September.
"This way the siblings will be able to spend a whole year together as opposed to just a few months," said Keith LeBlanc, a Big Siblings program director.
LeBlanc expressed concerns regarding first years not having cars and pointed out that this way volunteering will be restricted to second years and above.
"When first years don't have cars it makes it difficult to foster a relationship that would be the most beneficial for the kids," LeBlanc added.
Over 200 students volunteer for the Big Siblings program, which pairs University students with underprivileged Charlottesville-Albemarle area children ranging in age from 5 to 12.
"We want to give kids mentoring and friendship so that they can learn and develop into responsible adults," Gasperini said.
The year-long commitment requires the volunteer to spend two to three hours a week with his or her little sibling.
LeBlanc emphasized that Big Siblings would like to see a lot of current first years apply.
"Mentoring relationships that last more than six months have been proven to have a significantly stronger influence on school attendance and performance and the quality of relationships with adults," said Jeff Tebbs, incoming Big Siblings head program director.
Gasperini said organizers realized that many first years may have been overwhelmed during their first semester at the University and since they are more settled in the spring, it would be a great opportunity for them to get involved.
