You CAN make a difference in the life of a child

By Bobbie Goldfarb

“My Big Sister means the world to me. I love her.”

A child in the Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister Program.


Since its inception in 1975, the Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister Program, of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis, has had the notable goal of how to best match Jewish children in need with Jewish adult volunteer mentors.  

Hundreds of children, ages 6-15, have been positively impacted by the simple act of a Jewish adult creating an unconditional relationship of support, caring and having fun.

Traditionally, an adult “Big” in the program mentored a “Little” for three hours a week. With the time constraints many people face today, and the needs of numerous waiting children, JFCS has responded by expanding the program to include:

• The Bigs in Training Program (BITS), for 11th and 12th grade volunteer mentors.

• The Pal to Pal Program, for 12-16 year old volunteers.

• The Mom to Mom Program, a client to client support.

Why these new elements?

Teenagers today are volunteering more  – and learning the meaning of tzedaka, of giving at a young age. Planting the seeds early strengthens the community.

The Mom to Mom Program matches mothers who connect with and support each other around common issues. Dad to Dad and Grandparent to Grandparent Programs are also available at JFCS.

In all the program matches, JFCS is increasingly accommodating the time frame and needs of both clients and volunteers. If a Jewish adult or teenager is able to give a child one or two hours every other week, the program will now consider and support the relationship.

One of the biggest needs in the Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister Program is for young Jewish adult volunteers to serve the increasing number of “waiting Littles” who have special needs.

This can be extremely rewarding and is easier than you may think. There is far more to these children than their disability.  Too often people say, “I can’t do this. I’ve never been with a child, who has autism. I’ve never been with a child who has ADD (attention deficit disorder). I’ve never been with a child who has...”

In the most recent JFCS Annual Report, there is a story about how a 13-year-old, Jason, serves as a friend and mentor to a 5-year-old, Jesse, who has autism. They go swimming, tumbling and climbing, and play with Legos and dinosaurs. They are part of the Pal to Pal Program.

The results of the match have been tremendous. “I can’t tell you how this relationship has impacted not just Jesse, but our whole family,” says Jesse’s mother, Susie. “Jason is incredible. Jesse loves him.”

Think about it. A 12-year old successfully mentors a child with special needs. At first, he wasn’t sure he could do it. After several meetings with program staff, he said he would try it. He took the leap.

You can, too.

If you become a Big or a Little there is a strong training and support component in the program. A booklet of guidelines for all involved helps to enhance the relationship. The Program Coordinator speaks regularly with both parties  to share the joys and challenges of the match.

An additional advantage is the program’s connection to JFCS. The agency offers a wide range of services for the whole family, helping participants receive the support needed to face life’s challenges and remain connected to the Jewish community.

The annual Passover Seder and Chanukah party just for Bigs and Littles are additional important features of the program.

If it’s not obvious already, the rewards of being a volunteer in the Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister Program are significant – on both sides.

Try it. You have so much to give – and to gain.

For information on the Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister Program contact Bobbie Goldfarb, 952-542-4827 or bgoldfarb@jfcsmpls.org.

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Bobbie Goldfarb is Coordinator of the Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister Program.