Nonprofit Seeking Volunteer Mentors in Greater Lowell Region
TEWKSBURY/LOWELL, Mass. – John Ellis, of Tewksbury, is making a lasting impact as a volunteer mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts (BBBSEM), the state’s leading one-to-one mentoring program for youth. Volunteers, referred to as Bigs, are caring adults who provide children with relationships to help them reach their fullest potential.
With research and proven outcomes at its core, BBBSEM creates Big-Little matches based on shared interests, geography, and personality, and serves as a consistent resource for Bigs, Littles, and their families. Children are paired with mentors across Eastern Massachusetts from the Merrimack Valley to Cape Cod and the Islands.
Ellis, 32, has been matched with his Little, James, through BBBSEM since June 2023. The Tewksbury resident works as an inventory manager at a chain restaurant in Peabody. Growing up, Ellis’ biggest mentor was his grandfather, a Boston firefighter who taught him the importance of giving back to the community.
Ellis and 12-year-old James, who lives in Lowell, enjoy visiting the library to play Roblox, hiking local trails and going to movies. During their time together, James eagerly shares his latest interests with Ellis, which currently involve a Rubik’s cube. Ellis’ proudest moment came this summer when he helped James conquer his first mountain, Mount Major. James has grown more polite and well-mannered since matching with Ellis, while Ellis has developed greater patience and found deep fulfillment in mentoring.
“Becoming a Big is worth it,” says Ellis. “You make a huge difference and you get to see it, and you get to build a connection with someone that could really use it. Even if you can only contribute a small amount of time, it’s meaningful.”
BBBSEM fosters access, belonging, and opportunity for Bigs and Littles of all backgrounds. Mentors must be 18 or older, be able to spend a few hours a month for at least a year, and have a passion for positively impacting a young person’s life.
“One caring adult can make all the difference,” says BBBSEM President and CEO Mark O’Donnell, a former two-time Big Brother. “Every volunteer can change a child’s life. The more mentors we have, the more young people can grow, thrive and succeed.”
BBBSEM is now enrolling and matching Littles and Bigs. For more information, to become a volunteer or to register your children, visit: www.emassbigs.org.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is an innovative, energetic organization that is making a real difference in the lives of nearly 4,000 youth annually by providing them with an invested, caring adult mentor in long-term, professionally supported relationships. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is working to defend the potential of children facing adversity and ensure every child has the support from caring adults that they need for healthy development and success in life. The organization’s vision is to inspire, engage and transform communities in Eastern Massachusetts by helping youth achieve their full potential, contributing to healthier families, better schools, more confident futures and stronger communities. Throughout its 76 years, the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has created and served more than 25,000 youth. For more information about the agency and its mission, visit www.emassbigs.org.
Featured Photo: John Ellis with his mentoring match, James.
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