Jewish Big Brother-Sister Association Of Boston

Programs: The organization's programs include a community based program that matches adult volunteers with children. Here, we serve children and teens - ages 6-18 - from over 90 towns in greater boston, including the north and south shores. They are jewish and non-jewish. They come from a variety of different places and life circumstances and include kids from single- and two-parent families of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Some are going through challenging times: struggling socially or academically, confronting their own (or a parent's or sibling's) disabilities or medical or mental health concerns. Some are new immigrants to the united states and working hard to get adjusted to life in greater boston. Some have experienced a recent (or not so recent) divorce and, some, the death of a parent or sibling. The friend 2 friend programs supports one-to-one friendships for qualifying adults. It serves adults who have disabilities, provides continuity in service for little brothers and sisters aging out of our children's programs, as well as other young adults and people at mid-life and beyond, the opportunity to make a new friend, socialize, stay active! Participants are ages 18+ with mild to moderate disabilities including but not limited to cognitive and developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, mild mental illness, autism spectrum disorders, traumatic brain injury. They possess basic communication and independent living skills. They're jewish and non-jewish from a variety of different places and life experiences. The common thread is that each could both benefit from, and seeks, human connection, socialization, friendship. Our volunteers spend a few hours each month helping another adult feel special. Maybe they share the participant's passion for trivia night or his or her interest in gourmet cooking. Or perhaps the volunteer is to thank for introducing the participant to a brand new hobby, a favorite eatery, a classic film. Still, others could simply benefit from the additional positive role modeling a mentor provides. For instance, we've encountered children and teens who are in the process of coming out or have recently come out as glbtq and who are looking to connect to a big brother or sister who's been there. Or we hear from moms and dads who are single parents by choice and who've recognized the benefit to growing their own and their child's support systems to include a mentor.