Feb. 20, 2008

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University's Football Team is signing up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington.

Marinda Peugh and Melisa Donnelly of BBBSNW spoke with the football players Wednesday evening about what it takes to become a Big Brother.

"It's about being a friend and a good role model to a young person," Peugh said. "Our Littles just need someone to hang out with them and show them that they are special."

Twenty WWU football players are on their way to becoming Bigs. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington is very excited to have the players on board. Seventy percent of BBBSNW's Volunteer Bigs are female so there are a lot more boys waiting for a Big Brother. Most of the players are signing up for the School Based Program where they will spend one hour a week with a Little Brother in fourth to eighth grade during or after school hanging out and doing activities they both have in common.

Independent studies have shown that children with mentors are less likely to turn to drugs and alcohol, are less violent, and have less negative behaviors. They have an improved attitude towards school, more positive relationships with their peers and parents, better communication skills, better academic performance and are more likely to go on to college.

"I've been a Big before and I think this is a great program," Assistant Football Coach John Bowers said. "Kids look up to these guys. It will be good for the guys to get out of their comfort zone and be involved in something outside of themselves."

Anyone interested in becoming a Big can contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington at (360) 671-6400 or www.bbbs-nw.org.

Football team joins Big Brothers program

by Rebecca Rice, The Western Front

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Western football players are teaming up with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization to become mentors for youth in Whatcom County, lessening the county's shortage of Big Brothers.

Western assistant coach John Bowers said 27 players will be matched up with children between the ages of 7 and 13 years old. For approximately an hour a week, the players will hang out with their Little Brothers at school, becoming role models and positive influences, he said.

"Someone has identified [these children] as needing another positive person in their lives," Bowers said. "The more people you put in touch with them to listen to their problems and share their joys, the better."

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a nationwide organization that pairs 5-to-18-year-olds with volunteer mentors, said Melisa Donnelly, the program director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington. The Little Brothers or Sisters, called Littles, and their mentors, Bigs, spend time together at school or in the community hanging out, going to parks, playing games, doing homework or other activities of their choice.

Teachers, counselors or parents refer youths to Big Brothers Big Sisters, but youths choose whether they want to do the program, Donnelly said. The more time youths spend with their mentors, the better they do in school, Donnelly said.

"After a year or two in the program, they show a positive change in their behavior, grades and attendance," she said. "They're less likely to be involved with alcohol and drugs at an early age."

Approximately 200 youths are enrolled in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Whatcom County, Donnelly said. There is a shortage of Big Brothers because more Little Brothers are referred to the program, while more Big Sisters volunteer, she said.

Bowers said he got the idea to involve the team with Big Brothers Big Sisters last spring after meeting a young woman who worked for the organization. She told him Whatcom County was 80 Big Brothers short of what was needed, he said.

After the football season ended, Bowers decided spring was the time to help lessen the shortage of male volunteers.

"We've got a lot of manpower," he said. "We can knock a chunk out of that number."

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers two programs for youths and their mentors. In the community-based program, Bigs and Littles spend time in the community going out to eat, playing in the park and more, Donnelly said.

The school-based program, which Western football players will be participating in, allows Big Brother and Sisters to spend time with their Littles at schools in Whatcom County. They can go to the school library and work on homework, play ball on the school courts, eat lunch or go anywhere on school grounds, Bowers said.

Teachers let Bigs take their Littles out of class because they think the program is so positive, he said.

Western junior wide receiver Rick Copsey said he signed up to be a Big Brother because he wanted to help someone younger than himself who needs a role model. When he goes to his Little's school for their one-on-one, Copsey said he might help out with homework or shoot hoops.

"I'd like to do something sports related because that's my type of thing," Copsey said. "But if he wants to play chess, I'm down to play chess."

Players will be matched up with their Littles by March or April, Donnelly said. The enrollment process takes approximately one month and includes filling out an application with three references, an hour-long interview, background checks and fingerprinting, she said. Once the volunteers are accepted into the program, they are matched with a Little based on personality and interests.

Western senior offensive lineman Dan Trask said he has an interview with Big Brothers Big Sisters on March 4.

"It's my last year here, so I thought I'd give a little back to the community," Trask said.

He said he and his fellow players will act as role models for their Little Brothers, giving them someone to talk to.

"A lot of the guys are fortunate enough to have grown up with a good family and a good base," Trask said. "Some kids aren't as fortunate."

Bowers said the football players are excited to help out in the community and share a part of their lives with their Little Brothers.

"You're not doing this to gain anything," Bowers said. "It's to give something -- yourself, the best thing you can give."