Brockton Resident Makes a BIG Difference for Local Youth

BROCKTON, Mass. – Mario Da Rosa Jr., of Brockton, is a volunteer mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts (BBBSEM), the state’s leading one-to-one mentoring program for youth. Volunteers, referred to as Bigs for the nonprofit are caring adults who provide children with one-to-one relationships to help them reach their fullest potential. Da Rosa Jr. is among nearly 4,000 Bigs this year who are making a difference in young lives with whom the nonprofit is celebrating this National Volunteer Month.

With research and proven outcomes at its core, the nonprofit creates Big-Little matches based on shared interests, geography and personality, serving as a consistent resource for Bigs, Littles and their families. The organization’s community-based mentoring in which adult mentors are paired with children, ages 7 to 12, and meet for a few hours a couple times a month remains its signature program. The organization welcomes Bigs and Littles of all races, ethnicities, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, and physical abilities. The nonprofit also offers school-based programs, college-based programs, and Mentor 2.0, a technology-based program, for volunteers to use online communication to connect with youth at Boston Public High Schools.

“I volunteer because I feel a child should have all the best in the world as far as guidance and mentorship,” says Da Rosa Jr. “The relationships and how you interact in them, while a child, can have a lasting impression. I want to give to a child what I had growing up. Children are our future and should be nurtured and imbued with the tools for finding self-acceptance and self-love. I have loved watching my Little open up and see him in the position where he tells me his dreams and passions. I make sure to root him on and let him know he can do anything he wants and I look forward to seeing his further growth.”

“Today’s families have so much on their plates and children are more at risk than ever of falling through the cracks,” says Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts President and CEO Mark O’Donnell, a former two-time Big Brother. “We work to create opportunities for kids who otherwise might not have that type of support to ensure they can be the best versions of themselves. However, we need more caring adults to step up for our children to become mentors to ensure they reach their fullest potential. The more Bigs we have, the more youth we can serve.”

A national study of 950 youth from eight Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies showed that positive relationships between Littles and their Bigs have a direct and measurable impact on children’s lives. The study found that BBBS matches consistently spend more time together, and continue as a match for longer periods, than those in other mentoring programs. Results also showed Bigs help Littles learn right from wrong, make better life choices, do better in school, and advance to the next grade level.

“Caring adult mentors make an impact in the lives of youth and can help build social skills and self-confidence,” says O’Donnell. “Our Bigs are defenders of BIG futures.”

In its 74th year, the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has created and served more than 20,000 matches and will serve nearly 4,000 matches this year.

For more information, to become a volunteer or to register your children, visit: www.emassbigs.org.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is an innovative, energetic organization that is making a real difference in the lives of nearly 4,000 youth annually by providing them with an invested, caring adult mentor in long-term, professionally supported relationships. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is working to defend the potential of children facing adversity and ensure every child has the support from caring adults that they need for healthy development and success in life. The organization’s vision is to inspire, engage and transform communities in Eastern Massachusetts by helping youth achieve their full potential, contributing to healthier families, better schools, more confident futures and stronger communities. Throughout its 74 years, the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has created and served more than 20,000 matches. For more information about the agency and its mission, visit www.emassbigs.org.