For the past few years, “Big John” has been meeting “Little John” once a week – the duo stands out not just for sharing a name, but also a connection: one that stands as an example of the unique relationship that can develop out of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

For “Big John,” or Eden Prairie resident John McCarthy, his volunteering starting as a way to make a difference, but in the process, he’s felt his own positive effect from working with “Little John,” or John Hawkey, a Bloomington fifth-grader.
“We’ve kind of grown together,” noted McCarthy

“It’s done just as much for me as it has for him.”

McCarthy, a father of three boys himself, noted that his involvement with Hawkey has made him a more patient father.
“It’s just been a great experience,” he added.

Hawkey was in the first grade when his father died of cancer. His school, Poplar Elementary, recommended the Big Brothers Big Sisters program to his mother Gayle. From there, they connected to John McCarthy who, for the past three years, has been meeting with Hawkey once a week at his school as part of the program.

“[They’ve] just been a great match,” said Gayle.

McCarthy is an inspiring and motivating person for her son, she added, “not to mention a really consistent person in his life.”

“John just feels that he’s special because Big John [takes] time out from his work and family to spend with him.”

McCarthy noted that the program is very flexible. Along with the school-based programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters offers a program where mentors can connect to their kid once a month on a Saturday.
“[Big Brothers Sig Sisters] really sets it up so it works for you,” he added.

McCarthy, who has been named a “Big of the Year” by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities, hopes that by sharing his story, more people will volunteer with the program, which is facing a great need.

According to Kimberlee Sinclair, BBBS vice president of external affairs, the wait list for students to be matched with mentors in the Twin Cities is about 725.

The program is continually matching children but, of course, there are children continually enrolling in the program, she added.
“We know it’s a significant need and we wish that we could very easily and quickly find a caring mentor for every child as soon as they come to us,” she said.

The school-based program is where the most need is right now, which is where McCarthy volunteers. People can also volunteer through a community-based program in which mentors and children can meet two to four times a month wherever they choose.

BBBS works with about 35 schools in the metro area through the school-based program. Through that, the mentor visits a child’s school for an hour once a week, same time, same day.
To become involved in Big Brothers, Big Sisters, visit www.bigstwincities.org. Volunteers must fill out an application and undergo background checks, then move on to an interview process, where they are match with a child.

Sinclair noted that 70 percent of the kids on the wait list are boys, so there is a high need for male mentors.

As a big sister herself she finds it “so rewarding.”

McCarthy’s expression of what he gets from volunteering is not an uncommon sentiment.

“I sometimes wonder if I’m getting more out of it than my little is because it’s just fun,” noted Sinclair.

“You get to remember what it’s like to be a kid and you’re really truly making a difference in a child’s life.
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In his role as a Big Brother, McCarthy offers another perspective for Hawkey to reach out to.

“We’re so blessed to have the program because it’s been helpful,” noted Gayle.

Meanwhile, Little John plans to follow in his Big’s footsteps and volunteer as a big brother himself some day, she said.

“I think he knows the value of that,” said Gayle.