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Mentoring is fun, affordable and compatible with university, Brock student finds

As a full-time general studies student at Brock University, Mike Palmer, 22, is just starting to make his way in the world. He's building the foundations of his career and meanwhile working part-time as a grocery clerk to help fund his education.

You might think a person like that would keep every spare minute for himself, considering all the demands on his time, but not Mike. Because he sees the bigger picture and wants to make a difference, he volunteers as a Big Brother.

"I wanted to volunteer and this didn't seem to be a boring way of volunteering," he says, recalling what first prompted him to sign up. "I thought it might be rewarding, too, which it is. We make a lot of memories and have fun together. I like to think I'm making a difference in [Little Brother] Robert's life."

Mike, of Niagara Falls, had previously been aware of Big Brothers but reading a newspaper article on the topic at age 17 spurred him to action. "I knew immediately that it was what I wanted to do."

Within days, he contacted Big Brothers, and soon he'd completed the steps to become a volunteer mentor. "It's a pretty easy process," he says.

Mike and 12-year-old Robert spend a few hours a week together and never run out of ideas for things to do. Lately they've been going to Marineland but they also enjoy outings to the YMCA, movies, Clifton Hill and Choo-Choo's Family Fun Centre.

"The Big Brother program is a pretty good excuse for a 22-year-old to do a lot of those things," Mike says, adding that plenty of cost-free alternatives are also available. "The Niagara Parks Commission is free, the library is free, fishing and just hanging out are free. Money shouldn't stop anyone from becoming a Big."

Mike's advice to potential Bigs: "Do lots of enjoyable things and be a positive role model; you'll get as much out of it as your Little."

Mike Palmer keeps mentoring fun. You can, too! Call Big Brothers today.