Villanova Bigs and Littles and New Directions are programs that provide long term mentoring relationships and support to the children of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in South Philadelphia. The program is run through Villanova's Campus Ministry by Irene King. Please email her at irene.king@villanova.edu.
Bigs and Littles
Who are the Bigs? Bigs are student volunteers from Villanova University who act as the role models and mentors to the children of St. Charles Borromeo Parish. These mentors attempt to instill in the children the confidence, desire, and motivation needed to achieve their goals. Villanova students apply for admittance into the program and they are interviewed by the director of the Campus Ministry Center for Service and Social Justice. Students applying to be Bigs for the 2013-14 academic year will also be required to submit a letter of reference and to go through a series of State and Federal background checks and finger printing.
Who are the Littles? Littles are children ranging in age from 7-12, who generally come from homes in the under-resourced area of Grey's Ferry in South Philadelphia.
How does the program work? Contact with the children consists of several outings per semester to places such as the Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Zoo, Great Adventure, and other educational and recreational locations. The expected commitment of the Big is long-term--each Big keeps their Little for the duration of their college career. The majority of funding comes from fund-raising performed by everyone in the program with an annual subsidy through Villanova's Campus Ministry.
New Directions
Who are the students? Students are from under-resourced high schools in Philadelphia. Villanova mentors encourage these teenagers to develop into well rounded, mature individuals through a series of fun and educational outings.
Who are the mentors? The mentors are Villanova students who make monthly visits to St. Charles Borromeo Parish in South Philadelphia and take the high school students on eductaional and recreational outings.
This program is run through Villanova's Campus Ministry by Irene King. Please email her at irene.king@villanova.edu.
