Group offers chances to
help out many kids
By Kori Kamradt
Staff
Writer
Even though the next few weeks are generally the
busiest for most students, a group of people is taking time out of their
hectic schedules to help others.
The Purdue chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters
offers an opportunity to meet other students and a chance to help out
children in the Greater Lafayette community.
Big Brothers Big Sisters has about 200 students
that belong to the organization and over 30 of them are active participants.
Those who are active meet twice a month on Wednesdays and get together
with about 50 children three times a semester. Some of their activities
include an annual Halloween party and a trip to the Shedd Aquarium in
Chicago.
This organization works together with the Big Brothers
Big Sisters of Wabash Valley; the two get together in groups with the
children that are on the waiting list for a one-on-one partnership.
The Purdue organization is also working with Attica Elementary School
to help start a mentor program for about 10 students that the school
chooses.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Purdue and Wabash Valley
are part of a larger national organization that was founded in 1904
in Philadelphia, where its national headquarters still are.
According to the organization's Web site, www.bbbsa.org,
teachers and parents say kids who participate in the program show improvement
in grades, attitudes and relationships. So much so that 58 percent improved
their grades in social studies, languages and math; 55 percent were
able to express their feelings better; 64 percent obtained higher confidence;
and 62 percent are better able to trust their teachers.
Just spending some quality time with the child
made all of these improvements. Jamie Ulbrich, a senior in School of
Science and president of the club, offered another reason to join. "The
feeling you get from knowing you helped out someone in the community
(is great)," she said.
For Sara Ruegsegger, a junior in the School of
Science, the chance to help others is also a great motivation to join
the organization.
"My favorite things about being in Big Brothers
Big Sisters are having a positive influence on children and being with
other students that also enjoy helping," she said.
Big Brothers Big Sisters' semimonthly meetings
are open to the public. To find out the time and place of the next meeting
e-mail the club at bbbs@expert.cc.purdue.edu.
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