Catherwood LibraryILR School

Non-profit program Big Brothers-Big Sisters, which connects elementary and middle school students with same-sex adult mentors has moved into the workplace in Houston, and hopes that the program will catch on elsewhere. The effort is being sponsored by Comcast, and their Houston location is the second one to welcome the 'littles' into the workplace. Students come to the Comcast building during the lunch hour to interact with their 'bigs' - they company has set up an arts and crafts table, they can chat, play games, or get help with homework. One of the advantages of the workplace program is that it allows adults with busy schedules to participate in the program. The program also gives the young students, most of whom are low-income, a chance to get exposure to a well-respected corporate workplace, an environment they may be totally unfamiliar with. 2000 children in the Houston area currently take part in the Big Brothers-Big Sisters program, with 400 more on a waiting list for mentors, and male mentors in particular.