Nicole Zurawski, of Niles, is a volunteer for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien & Cass. Zurawski volunteers her time as mentor and sees her “little sister” every other week and during Lunch Buddies. 

Through the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Berrien & Cass, at-risk youth between the ages of 6 to 18 have the opportunity to connect with mentors who seek to provide a safe and friendly support system to them.

What do you for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien & Cass?

I started when my “little sister” was in the first-grade. I have been volunteering there for a little over six years. I started with the Lunch Buddies program and that is going to Brandywine and Merritt Elementary and meeting with my little sister and offering additional support for her and being there for her as a mentor role. After a year of that, I got involved in the Community Buddy program. I got additional permission to take her outside of school. Her older sister and I have also become close and sometimes she comes with us.

What motivated you to start working for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien & Cass?

In 2011, I worked for the University of Notre Dame and one of the girls I worked with did it for the Indiana school district. My parents were both teachers and I thought that [the program] sounded like a fun way to help the community, so I went through the interview process and thought it would be a good way for me to help the community within the school district.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters?

It impacts me almost as much as it does the girls. It’s just a great way to be able to be there for somebody and just be some additional support, especially now that my “little sister” is in middle school. It’s a good way … to be a friend and a mentor and additional support system.

Why would you encourage other people to volunteer and get involved in this program?

I think it is a great opportunity to get to know the youth in the area and to be able to provide some additional support. A lot of the kids I have met during the Big Brothers Big Sisters events have a lot going on in their lives and in their families and it is just a way you can help the community with one child, just to give them additional support and an ear.

How do people get involved?

They can contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien & Cass. They are located in Niles, but they serve all of Berrien and Cass County schools.