ELYRIA — Mentoring youths is not hard work, but the results can be big for the little ones involved.

That’s the approach Big Brothers Big Sisters will take when it starts its school-based mentoring program at Franklin Elementary School in Elyria.

“We need to break the cycle of violence our young people see in their lives and help them fulfill the promise and possibilities they so rightly deserve,” said

Marcus Madison, spokesman for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Our own research quantifies the substantial positive impact that having a Big Brother or Sister has on the lives of children.”

School-based mentoring is not a classroom program, and it’s not tutoring. It’s one-on-one mentoring that takes place after school or during lunch.

Some of the activities “Littles” and “Bigs” will do include homework, crafts and character-building activities.

“But really, we’re just there to listen to them,” Madison said. “The kids can have the opportunity to just talk to their Bigs about what is going on in their lives. A core part of the program is just being there for the kids.”

A study conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters finds that adults mentored as children through the program are more likely than their peers with similar backgrounds who were not involved in the program to have a four-year college degree and incomes of $75,000 or more. They also report strong relationships with their spouses, children and friends.

“One of the most effective strategies for successful fundraising is to demonstrate the long-term value of our program,” said Greg Holcomb, fund development officer for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Foundations, individuals, corporations and public funders want to invest in programs proven to change lives and break cycles.”

Target in Elyria is sponsoring the after-school program for children ages 6 to 14. The program will be every Wednesday at Franklin Elementary. The grant money from Target will be used to recruit, screen, train, match and support volunteers in one-on-one mentoring relationships with area youths in after-school locations in Elyria, Lorain, Avon, Sheffield and Oberlin.

“At Target, our local grants are making a difference in the communities we serve,” said Laysha Ward, president of community relations for Target. “We’re proud to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to communities where our guest and team members live and work.”

This week, Big Brothers Big Sisters kicked off the partnership with a “Big” party for children and volunteers enrolled in the program at Franklin. Little Caesar’s donated pizza.

To volunteer or enroll your child in the program, call (440) 277-6541 or visit www.bigloraincounty.org.

Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.

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