Big Brothers Big Sisters Boosts Students Toward College

Eastern Massachusetts branch awards $70,000 in grants to help 'Littles' transition to higher education.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:54pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a graduation cap icon repeated in a tight grid pattern, capturing the celebratory spirit of Big Brothers Big Sisters' efforts to support students as they transition to the next phase of their lives.Big Brothers Big Sisters' grants and awards help propel young 'Littles' toward their educational and career goals.Boston Today

The Eastern Massachusetts branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters awarded $70,000 in grants to dozens of young people, known as 'Littles,' to support them as they prepare to graduate high school and transition to college or careers. The ceremony celebrated the long-term mentorship relationships between the 'Bigs' and 'Littles' and the impact the program has had on the lives of the young people involved.

Why it matters

The grants and awards are part of Big Brothers Big Sisters' efforts to expand its reach and provide more support to young people as they navigate the critical transition out of high school. The program aims to give its 'Littles' a 'gust of wind' as they embark on the next phase of their lives, whether that's college, a career, or something else.

The details

The $70,000 in grants and awards were distributed to more than 50 young people at a 'Big Futures Bash' ceremony in Boston. The recipients, known as 'Littles' in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, wrote essays about how their mentors, or 'Bigs,' have shaped their lives and helped them reach this milestone. Some described receiving invaluable guidance as first-generation college applicants, while others said they plan to become mentors themselves.

  • The ceremony took place on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • The Eastern Massachusetts branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters dates back 77 years.

The players

Emily Green

An 18-year-old from Chelsea who was recently accepted to Bryn Mawr College, where she plans to study international relations. She received a $5,200 grant from Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Emily Kutch

Green's 'Big Sister' mentor from East Boston.

Terrence McCarron

Chief program officer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts.

Kristen Erekson

A member of the board of advisors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts who has been a 'Big Sister' to three 'Littles' over the past 18 years.

Mark O'Donnell

The president and chief executive of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts.

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What they’re saying

“As problems came up, I was able to come to Emily for solutions. I remember figuring out how I could better stay on top of things like homework, and this year we started my college application process.”

— Emily Green

“We know that a lot of our young people are transitioning out of their home, or out of their high school, directly into a career or onto a campus. That's a scary transition. Our intention is for everybody to get, at the very beginning of their post-high school pathway journey, a little gust of wind from us to say, 'We're investing in you. We believe in you.'”

— Terrence McCarron, Chief program officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts

“They wrote about having a safe space to be seen and heard, helping them build confidence, having a role model who just showed up, and kept showing up. It changed the direction of their lives.”

— Kristen Erekson, Board of advisors member, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts

What’s next

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is three years into a five-year goal of matching 10,000 kids with mentors. So far, they have reached 7,500 mentor-mentee pairs, making their Eastern Massachusetts branch the second-largest in the nation.

The takeaway

The grants and awards ceremony highlights the profound impact that long-term mentorship can have on young people's lives, helping them build confidence, navigate major transitions, and even change the trajectory of their futures. Big Brothers Big Sisters' efforts to expand its reach and provide more support to students as they prepare for life after high school demonstrate the organization's commitment to empowering the next generation.