October 20, 1995: Volume 35, Number 4

Big Brothers/Sisters to target older, at-risk youth

Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties has received $10,333 in funding to pair 20 older "at-risk" children with Union College students.

The funds are from the state Department of Youth and the Schenectady County Youth Bureau.

"These are kids who might be in some trouble," said Jay Eckenberger, executive director of the local two-county Big Brothers-Big Sisters chapter. "They might be in danger of dropping out of school. We're hoping that Union students can show them a different value system and help them latch onto some goals so they can finish school and maybe go on to college."

The children, ages 12 to 15, will come to campus for about three hours each Sunday with their "Bigs" for activities ranging from sports to tutoring. The program, which will start in January, will run every week while Union is in session.

There are 216 Union students involved in Big Brothers-Big Sisters activities on campus, making it the largest chapter locally, and one of the most popular student activities on campus. There are about 70 Union students paired with "littles."

The activities on Sunday afternoons will be available to all who participate in Union's program, not just to those 20 in the new program, explained Stephanie Wolos, Big Brothers-Big Sisters coordinator at the College. Finding activities and transportation often has posed a problem for the Union volunteers, she noted. A new caseworker will be added to help with the large numbers of Union students who are involved, Wolos said.

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