51茶馆 BIGS offers 51茶馆 students the opportunity to serve as mentors to youth, ages 8-16, in Boston. It's a great way to become immersed in the Boston community, make a difference in a young person鈥檚 life, and meet other like-minded 51茶馆 students who share similar passions.
Thank you for your interest in joining 51茶馆 BIGS!听 Your application will be sent to our partners at . You can expect to hear from them in 7-10 days.听 If you do not hear from them or have questions about your application, please email bcbigs@bc.edu.听 There is a 3 semester commitment at the minimum, please only apply if you plan to graduate in 2026 or later.听 Please be sure you have reviewed all program requirements before applying.
Before you apply, please ensure you review the following requirements:
- In addition to meeting with your Little Brother or Sister (see details of the program-specific time commitments below), all 51茶馆 BIGS must meet with their small, peer-led reflection group every other week for 1 hour for the entirety of their time in the program.听 No exceptions!
- All BIGS must attend the orientation the semester they are matched as well as semesterly听trainings听and events
- There is a minimum听3 semester听commitment (therefore we cannot accept rising seniors). You may study abroad if you are still able to complete 3 semesters.
- All BIGS must communicate regularly with their听 Big Brothers Big Sisters Match Support Specialist, as well as 51茶馆 BIGS staff and leadership
51茶馆 BIGS proudly partners with families and volunteers from all backgrounds, races and beliefs. We expect all members of our mentoring community to bring their whole selves into their mentoring relationships. Racism, in all its forms, is a threat to genuine connection and trust. So, as a program and community, we commit to examining antiracism at all levels. While we don鈥檛 expect our volunteers and families to be experts on antiracism, we ask that they approach our program with an open mind and willingness to learn as we strive toward dismantling individual, institutional and societal racism.
We commit to:
- Actively reflect on our individual experiences and identities by creating spaces to critically discuss race and antiracism.
- Actively understanding our belonging to group identities, which includes but is not limited to the challenges, privileges, histories, and inequities experienced and/or perpetuated as part of our belonging to these groups.
- Actively center the voices, experiences, and leadership of BIPOC students, youth, families, and adults.
We will fulfill these commitments by:
- Required training for staff, leaders and Bigs.
- Facilitating dialogue and everyday conversations about race in mandatory reflection groups.
- Improving representation of BIPOC in Bigs, leaders, staff, and speakers.
- Implement white antiracism group for Bigs to engage in the personal and collective work of antiracism.
- Continue the work of the Bigs of Color group as a space and support to the unique experiences within the program.
- Utilize existing resources on campus, such as FACES, and bring to campus new resources such as BBBSEM antiracism work, to support 51茶馆 Bigs in their reflection and action.
Testimonials
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Yolanda Okundaye '21
Yolanda Okundaye ('21) was matched in the campus-based program in 2018, she transitioned to a community match in 2021.
Becoming a part of 51茶馆 bigs was a turning point in my college career. I have always aligned my aspirations and goals with the ultimate goal of creating more opportunities for those who look like me. Sometimes we forget why we started. 51茶馆 bigs, my relationship with my little, serves as a constant reminder for why I started. It is also an incentive to keep going despite all odds. I am forever grateful for this formative experience.
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Rishi Srinivasan '23
Growing up I had so many role models and mentors that I looked up to and I attribute a lot of my successes and who I am today to them. When I came to Boston College, I knew I wanted to be that person for someone else and 51茶馆 Bigs allowed me to do that. My Little and I have grown to be almost real-life brothers and through him and the program, I have learned so much about the power of mentorship and connection. 51茶馆 Bigs has easily been the highlight of my college experience and given me lessons I will cherish forever!听
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Lubens Benjamin '23
Lubens Benjamin ('23)听 has been matched in the school-based program since 2019
I wanted to be a 51茶馆 Big because I know the type of impact having a strong role model can have on a child. When I was young, I was in many after school programs. I grew just as much in those programs as I did in the classroom. Having strong role models helped me navigate such an uncertain time in my life. My role models showed me the different paths I could pursue in my life and helped me realize my potential.听 Through 51茶馆 Bigs, I have learned how to truly listen and advocate.听 51茶馆 Bigs is an experience that has kept me grounded during my time at Boston College. It reminds me about what is truly important in this world鈥攇iving back to others. I am a firm believer in the notion that we ought to be a part of something bigger than ourselves in life to be happy. I do that through 51茶馆 Bigs.
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Lizzy Kanzler '23
Lizzy Kanzler ('23) was听matched in the school-based program in 2019
I joined 51茶馆 Bigs because I find really great value in giving back to your community and mentorship relationships. Across my life, I have had tremendous mentors that have largely shaped who I am today. Being that individual for someone else, someone to look up to, someone to lean on, someone to laugh with, was always a goal of mine and 51茶馆 Bigs helped me achieve this goal far past my expectations. My time with my Little over these past four years holds some of my most cherished memories. I can't wait to see what more memories听me and my Little make over the next years.
We partner with communities in Dorchester and Mattapan for this campus-based mentoring program,听where Little Brothers and Sisters are transported to campus on alternate Saturdays throughout the year. In Dorchester, we partner with听Franklin Field Housing Development and in Mattapan, we partner with the Mildred Ave Community Center.听During the academic year there are approximately听15 structured events lasting about 3-4 hours. Bigs and Littles share in the fun large-group programming, and then have one-on-one time each week as well.
Please note:听The 51茶馆 BIGS Franklin Field and Mattapan Programs involve a larger time commitment than the other 51茶馆 BIGS Programs.
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These are school-day mentoring programs where Big Brothers and Big Sisters meet their Little Brothers or Little Sisters on a weekly basis at a local Boston school for lunch/recess or the after-school program. Bigs and Littles spend time together, eat lunch, play sports and board games, do arts and crafts, or simply sit and talk. The commitment is one hour per week with your Little, plus any travel time.
鈥淔amilies鈥� are what we call our small reflection groups facilitated by the student leaders. The family groups are safe spaces that provide support, help to build community,听 and allow BIGS the opportunity to reflect on their service experience.听
Family groups:
- Are a听mandatory听component of the 51茶馆 BIGS program and attendance is enforced听听
- Meet for 1 hour every other week
- Are run in the spirit of the Jesuit Tradition of Boston College.听 We believe that reflection is an essential component of service and helps to deepen learning.
- Are a great way to get to meet others on campus听
- Discuss issues of social justice while providing a space to ask questions about mentorship听
In collaboration with our partners at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts, 51茶馆 BIGS asks all members of our community to participate in our shared values:
Transformation听
Let this experience change and challenge you.
Intentionality
Take intentional steps to achieve youth outcomes. Know that all of our actions drive change for children in our program.
Building Community
We are all mentors and mentees. Cultivate contexts and relationships that are safe for self-expression and that celebrate our shared striving.
Social Justice
View your experience through a lens of social justice. Take time to know the structural barriers that impact our participants.
Mutual Learning
Be willing to learn from others, especially from those who have had experiences different from your own.
