Download GenerationBIG Program Summary

GenerationBIG Program Summary
Feb 17, 2009
What is GenerationBIG:
GenerationBIG is a new partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound and Senior
Services. It represents a timely expansion of the local BBBS School-Based Mentoring Program, which
typically has drawn from a younger adult population for mentors to school-age children. BBBS of Puget
Sound will actively enlist adults ages 55 and above through Senior Services, which historically has
provided most of its programs at its senior centers and now will branch out into schools. Seattle-area's
homegrown GenerationBIG project is BBBS' first partnership with an agency or nonprofit organization
for older Americans specifically to match them with children to mentor.
Upcoming orientation sessions at senior centers offer interested adults a chance to learn details of
mentoring and apply to participate in GenerationBIG. Each center will pair with a local elementary
school, and, after screening volunteers to ensure child safety, BBBS of Puget Sound will match each
volunteer (a "Big") with one child (a "Little"). The Bigs and Littles will meet during the school year in safe
school settings that allow for one-on-one conversation. The website is at www.generationb.org.
How it Works:
On the designated weekday during the school year, volunteers will meet at the senior center and go
together to the school, where they will talk with their Littles for an hour about schoolwork or other
topics they choose. For many children, this hour brings a welcome opportunity to have a caring adult's
undivided attention. Research consistently shows that even short visits of this kind can make a big
difference in children's lives.
After the mentoring meetings at the school, the volunteers will go to a sponsoring restaurant where
they will receive a $5 certificate for coffee or a snack. During this break the volunteers have 30 to 45
minutes to discuss their mentoring experiences and build camaraderie. Then they return to the senior
center.
Community Information Sessions
GenerationBIG kicks off February 18th in West Seattle with information and sign-up sessions for
prospective volunteer mentors at the local Senior Center. Over the next three weeks there will be
additional sessions in West Seattle, Ballard and Bothell. See schedule below:
Neighborhoods
West Seattle
Ballard
Northshore (Bothell,
Kenmore,
Woodinville, Juanita,
etc.)
Information Session Locations
Senior Center of West Seattle
4217 S.W. Oregon
Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 932-4044
Ballard Northwest Senior Center
5429 - 32nd Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 297-0403
Northshore Senior Center
10201 E. Riverside Drive
Bothell, WA 98011-3708
(425) 487-2441
Schools
Highland
Park
Elementary
Times
Feb 18th 2:00-3:00pm
Feb 24th 10:00-11:00am
March 12th 2:00-3:00pm
Laurelhurst
Elementary
March 4th 1:00-2:00pm
March 12th 1:00-2:00pm
Frank Love
Elementary
March 6th 10:00-11:00am
March 12th 11:00am-Noon
Session Speakers:
Tina Podlodowski* President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound
Denise Klein* Executive Director of Senior Services
Experienced Big Brothers and Big Sisters share their stories
*Tina and Denise want to support every sessions but in some cases representatives of Big
Brothers Big Sisters and Senior Services may take their place due to scheduling conflicts.
BIG Needs:
More than 300 children in King County are currently waiting for Big Brothers or Big Sisters. Thousands
more would benefit from having a mentor but due to the critical shortage of mentors have not had a
chance to get onto the mentor waiting list. GenerationBIG intends to help meet this need. The eventual
project goal is to recruit, screen, and match 20 to 25 Bigs through each of 10 area senior centers with
Littles in nearby elementary schools. BBBS has successfully matched thousands of pairs of Bigs and
Littles over many years, and the same careful practices will assure new recruits to GenerationBIG of
being placed in well-chosen mentor-child pairs.
Much of community life, especially for younger families, centers around schools. Seattle public schools
have welcomed BBBS of Puget Sound's School-Based Mentoring Program as a way to invite community
members into the schools to boost the well-being of their students. Each Big Sister and Big Brother in
the schools enhances the life of his or her Little Sister or Little Brother, which in turn alleviates a bit of
stress from the school environment. School administrators are expressing enthusiasm for the addition of
adult mentors to the School-Based Mentoring Program.
Families with children at home can only benefit from more high-quality mentoring through
GenerationBIG. Parents already in precarious economic conditions and those suddenly thrown into
financial distress need more community support than before to help their children reach their potential.
Even seemingly simple gifts like taking time to help children with their schoolwork can have a calming
ripple effect in a stressed young family. Grandparent-aged mentors can be a source of encouragement
to the children and, through them, to their families.
BIG Results:
The BBBS School-Based Mentoring Program has shown success in fostering children's academic
development as well as their social skills. The children come from diverse backgrounds but generally
share a need for caring attention from adults. BBBS and independent research has demonstrated
improvements in the schoolwork, attitudes, and well-being of children who have mentors:
"Mentoring does make a difference. Students involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters' School-Based
program were assessed by teachers, parents, and volunteers for two consecutive school years.
The results were very encouraging. They:
 developed more positive attitudes toward school
 achieved higher grades in math, social studies, and languages
 experienced improved relationships with adults
 experienced improved relationships with peers
 were better able to express feelings
 developed increased self-confidence
 were more likely to trust their teachers"
www.bbbsps.org
Natural Connection:
GenerationBIG taps into the natural bond between children and grandparent-aged adults. Many in this
highly active generation have greater availability now than before to pursue their interests in enhancing
their communities. Children often feel secure talking with older adults, many of whom have raised their
own children to adulthood and have a calm approach in talking with children. In the process of having
fun with their mentors, the children gain strength and confidence to become happier, more productive
members of their communities. The adult volunteers can take satisfaction in knowing that this relatively
small investment of their time is likely to render long-term benefits in the children's lives and those
around them.
Bigs come from different backgrounds, yet they share a desire to offer emotional support, guidance,
consistency, and friendship to Littles and encourage the children to fulfill their potential. Children
flourish and learn from their elders' kindness, experience, caring attention, and listening. These
interactions fit Senior Services' goals to promote a community in which mature adults "develop ever
more joyful, healthful and meaningful lives" and "to engage the greater community in the aging
enterprise."
Benefits to Volunteers:
Although Bigs volunteer primarily to serve their communities in this valuable way, the benefits return to
them as well, in improved health and enjoyment of life. Experience Corps, a national organization that
enlists mature adults in community service, has found that research bears out tangible and intangible
benefits to adults who volunteer. It also has found that many of these adults want to serve purposeful
roles in their communities but have not been asked to do so. For many in the Seattle area,
GenerationBIG presents an ideal opportunity to contribute their life experience to help children in a
meaningful way that has long-lasting effects.
Dr. Paul Beck, a board certified Physician specializing in Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, sees a positive
connection between volunteering and the health and well being of the older adults. According to Dr.
Beck “When you actively give to others, you tend to be physically and mentally healthier. Several
research studies on the effects of volunteering by older people point to better health, reduced
depression and an improved sense of well being. GenerationBIG is a great way to keep your mind and
body active.”
Future of GenerationBIG:
Combining these elements of needs, results, and interests produced GenerationBIG. In the first half of
2009, GenerationBIG will pilot the program with three pairs of schools and senior centers (West Seattle,
Ballard and Northshore areas). In the 2009-2010 school, the program will extend to 10 pairs of local
schools and senior centers. As these come to run smoothly, GenerationBIG can leverage its experience
into other communities in 2010.
Leadership Team:
The GenerationBIG executive team consists of Tina Podlodowski, CEO and president of BBBS of Puget
Sound; Denise Klein, executive director of Senior Services; and Ben Hansen, director of Mactus Group,
founder of GenerationBIG. The website is at www.GenerationB.org.
BBBS of Puget Sound:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound (www.BBBSps.org) has conducted a School-Based Mentoring
Program in Seattle schools for many years. The program is an innovative approach created by national
Big Brothers Big Sisters to foster children's academic development and improve their social skills. The
volunteer meets with the student on the school campus, with a goal that through academic support,
positive role modeling, and a one-to-one friendship, the students will succeed. The essence of creating
strong mentor-student matches is the careful selection, training and support of volunteers. Applicant
processing includes a Washington state criminal background check, two written references, and an inperson interview.
GenerationBIG team members at BBBS of Puget Sound (phone 206-763-9060) include Jesse Gilliam,
director of advocacy and community engagement (ext. 103); Peter Retzlaff, director of partnerships (ext.
213); and Veronica Abraham, community recruitment coordinator (ext. 228).
Senior Services:
Senior Services (www.seniorservices.org) is the largest nonprofit agency for seniors in Washington. It
provides services annually to 50,000 adults ages 55 and above in five counties. Senior Services
originated in Seattle in 1967 from a vision of contributing toward a community in which older adults are
empowered to choose and develop joyful, healthful, meaningful lives.
The Senior Services mission is to promote emotional, social and physical well-being among older adults
using three over-arching strategies: to invent and continuously improve approaches that promote wellbeing; to empower families and caregivers; and to engage the greater community in the aging
enterprise.
The GenerationBIG contact person at Senior Services is Joanne Donohue, Vice President, who can be
reached at 206-727-6206 or [email protected].
Mactus Group:
GenerationBIG founder Ben Hansen is director of Mactus Group (www.mactusgroup.com) a marketing
consulting company. He can be reached at 206-334-1212 or [email protected].
Media Contact:
Ben Hansen
Director, Mactus Group
[email protected]
206-334-1212