Mentoring brings youngsters to Knox College

Knox College is a thriving learning environment. Students come here from all over the world, and now children as young as 5 years old are on a Knox College wait list.

Currently, Knox students and elementary school students convene in a classroom in Memorial Gym. They are involved in a unique experience that brings together little kids, college buddies, athletes, faculty, and community members focused on being a positive influence to youngsters.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has been in Galesburg for six years and is a satellite chapter of the Heart of Illinois (HOI) BBBS. Although BBBS is a United Way funded program, HOI Big Brothers Big Sisters Program director Susan Cunningham says the local chapter receives most of its funding from fundraising events such as  Bowl for Kids Sake. Prior to 2007 Knox students involved in the program were challenged to get to off campus community locations. Cunningham contacted Kathleen Ridlon, Knox College community service coordinator, to form a Knox College onsite management program focused on community service and student mentoring.

"It was a tremendous opportunity to join the college community with the Galesburg community," Ridlon says. "It is nice to show these kids all the assets of college life. They enjoy seeing different concepts of campus life, and there is a real enthusiasm in the kids when they get here."

With 21 Knox students, the Knox site BBBS program provides an opportunity for college students [otherwise known as the 'Bigs'] to mentor and interact with elementary students [nicknamed the 'Littles'] ? giving both the bigs and littles involved authentic learning experiences, as well as the ability to foster relationships that encourage higher education.

"The basic premise behind our mission is that learning occurs most often outside of the classroom," Cunningham says.

Kids seek mentorship
Each week the committed Knox students volunteer their time helping kids do homework, reinforce education activities, and have fun with arts and crafts projects and games. The strong community of learning for the college and elementary students, staff, and families develops positive relationships and experiences that extend outside the classroom. "BBBS is a program that people feel good to be a part of; you think you are simply making a difference in the life of a little kid, but you realize in the end that they made a difference in you," Cunningham says.

Whitney Mackie '09, described her experience working with the BBBS program as one that has had a positive impact on her. "I am comfortable talking to little kids," she says. Paired with 5-year-old Scott, who enjoys talking and drawing, Mackie says she is also helping him learn to spell and write his name. "And, we play games. The time passes quickly."

Mackie says that in addition to the one-on-one time, "some 'Bigs' and 'Littles' also meet outside of the Thursday evening meeting. "Scott invited me to his brother's birthday party and brought his cousin to campus to meet me," she says with a grin. "Students want to know how I got involved in BBBS." Juggling volleyball and Prairie Fire baseball team manager responsibilities, Mackie is also involved in other volunteer opportunities like the Knox trick or treat canned food drive and the Special Olympics.

"The Knox students are dedicated, enthusiastic and caring," Cunningham said.

"This year, the participation at BBBS has been outstanding. I know that Susan [Cunningham] has a wait list of community kids who want to be a part of this progam. Next year, Circle K wants to get involved as well," Ridlon said.

Ridlon says Knox students interested in the one-year commitment to the BBBS program should contact the Center for Community Service. In addition to completing an application, students go through an extensive interview with background check and finger printing. Cunningham then matches them to a child with a similar background and interests.

Katrina Henrysson '08 is a psychology major who originally signed up with the BBBS as a fulfillment of her Developmental Psychology class. "I enjoy the one-on-one relationship, and I think of it as having a relationship with the person. I just want to be their friend," she says.  Her social service volunteer opportunities has taken Henrysson from an AIDS orphanage in Kenya to the literacy program at the Knox County jail. A social service and anthropology major, she says she likes how Knox students can also be involved in different academic areas and organizations. "I also like how diverse the campus is and how you can learn about different places just by being at Knox." 

A win-win situation
The weekly BBBS meetings are held in the Center for Black Studies in Memorial Gym. "Children of different ethnicities see the representation of diversity at Knox," Ridlon says. "These kids have the opportunity to see and say 'I'm going to Knox College.' They feel good about the experience."

The BBBS youngsters have toured Harbach Theatre and stood on stage listening to Craig Choma talk about Rep term. "That was a magical thing to them," Ridlon says. "And, it was a big deal when they had a round table discussion with Knox College President Roger Taylor. That is a very cool thing for them."

Whether it's helping kids read or just being a friend to a child, Mackie and Henrysson and the other Knox BBBS volunteers find their work rewarding.

"Even if a child has been having a bad day, this one hour a week can change that; this is how we know we have done our job," said Henrysson.

"The fact that a kid's day has been made better just from being with us shows how vital this program is?it's all about the kids," Mackie added.