Big Sisters?
 

Have any sororities ever worked with the agency Big Sisters? I thought it would be a good philanthropy idea and was just wondering what types of experiences you have had doing this.

Thanks!
Mary

What is Big Sisters?

Big brothers/Big sisters

One of my chapter sisters did this. It is a huge time committment to be a Big Sister-- 2 years. The girl my friend was assigned was very needy -- excessively so and her younger bro had some emotional probs that prevented him from being placed w/a Big Brother, so he would tag along to the Big Sis events. It was really hard on my friend, and the girl would call her at all hours of the day, 7 days a week. After 2 years, after being very involved in the girl's life, my friend ended her term with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the girl was completely crushed. They severed all contact.

I don't know.. that is one extreme example. For a sorority phil, I think you could do a lot of awareness and fundraising events, but I am not sure about actual on-site service.

If you want to work with disadvantaged children, something that is like Big Bro/Sis would be the Boys and Girls Club-- same concept, without the personal mentor committment and you would have simliar opps to do fundraising and awareness building, plus a lot of on-site service opps.

Big Sisters
 

This past year I was involved in Big Brother/Big Sisters through the school. It was nothing of a huge commitment, of course I was in the school based program. What happened was I would go to the elementary school 1 day a week for only an hour and play games and such with my little sis. Since I have turned 19, I can do the community based program if I choose, with that you pick up the child whenever it is convenient for you. There isn't any sort of specified time that you have to be committed for. I think if the program nearest you is similar to that, it would be a great philanthropy event for your chapter. Also a great way to become more recognized in the community, then parents might even become more open to the idea of their kids joining a sorority/fraternity when they get older.

My SAI chapter has been in contact with Big Bros/Big Sis about doing some service activities with them for the upcoming year.

They weren't interested.