DV launches Big Brothers and Sisters

WESTFALL — Elementary kids got new “big brothers” and “big sisters” this past fall when the new mentoring program was implemented at Delaware Valley Elementary School. Big Brothers/Big Sisters (BBBS) began last November and was an immediate hit with everyone. There were initially 21 Big Sisters, two Big Sister alternates, one Big Brother, seven Little Brothers and five Little Sisters. Interest in the program, which has been deemed a huge success all-around, continues to grow. Gabrielle McLaughlin, case manager for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike Counties, said the number one goal of is to provide each child with a mentor. McLaughlin said she and DVES Principal Sonya Cole began corresponding back in the summer of 2007. They also worked with Cathy Virecci Fana, who is the casework supervisor, to launch the program. McLaughlin said that with programs in Bushkill Elementary, Mountain View, Blue Ridge, North Pocono, and Susquehanna, her group wanted to expand more into Pike County, and they found a very willing participant in Cole. Cole said her interest in the program is based on enriching the lives of her elementary school-age children through their overall childhood experiences. She feels that many children are able to benefit from sharing their lives with an additional adult. “The idea of that adult being a high school student is exciting,” said Cole. “This older student is not far removed from childhood, and their memories only help to make their relationships with the younger sisters and brothers even better.” Cole said the program at Delaware Valley has been so successful that there is a waiting list of “Youngs”. “As the children become aware of their friends’ involvement, they, too, want to be part of the action,” said Cole. “Our hope is that it is expanded to include more children.” Cole said many children are involved but in order to increase another staff person will be needed. “It is our wish that this happens for next year,” said Cole. The students have continued to meet after school on Fridays at DVES. The older students go over any concerns, questions and ideas with supervisors prior to meeting with the younger students. Since some of the children are cross-gender matched, they are supervised by staff at all times. It works for Kevin Smith of Ann Connell’s Sixth Grade. “We do lots of stuff and it’s really fun. We meet after school until 5 or 6 p.m. You can do whatever you want with your friends and your big brother or sister. We have done drawings, board games and entered a contest about helping sick people. The contest is about a bowling tee shirt design. Whoever wins gets a tee shirt for themselves and helps get money for sick people in hospitals. The design has to be about bowling. I did the Hollywood sign in bowling pins with a big sun, mountains and scenery behind it.”