Zion hospital mentors high school students

ZION - Cancer Treatment Centers of Americ at Midwestern Regional Medical Center and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago are teaming up to mentor students from Zion-Benton Township High School through the Workplace Mentoring program, which began at CTCA at Midwestern in January.

The Workplace Mentoring program, which BBBS offers at over 40 high schools throughout metropolitan Chicago, pairs youth facing adversity with positive, caring adults in one-to-one mentoring relationships. For the CTCA at Midwestern and BBBS partnership, the first and only current BBBS partnership with a hospital in Chicago, a total of 13 CTCA at Midwestern "Bigs" (mentors) have been paired with "Littles" (youth), which range from freshmen to juniors at Zion-Benton Township High School. "Bigs" and Littles" meet twice a month on-site at the hospital for mentoring sessions. In addition to building friendships, the structured sessions focus on enhancing necessary skills for personal and academic success.

"At CTCA at Midwestern, we not only focus on treating cancer and improving our patients' quality of life, but also believe in giving back to our community where we do business. Through the Big Brothers Big Sisters partnership, we look forward to helping create bright futures for the students," said Scott Jones, president and CEO of Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern Regional Medical Center.

Each CTCA at Midwestern "Big" went through an extensive interview and matching process to ensure they can provide the best support possible to their "Littles." In addition, each "Little" chose to enter the program voluntarily, seeking to build their communication and development skills, better prepare for college and/or connect with a positive role model.

"We are thrilled to partner with Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern Regional Medical Center and feel that the mentors involved in the program will provide positive reinforcement for the children they are matched with," said Arthur Mollenhauer, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago. "Our goal is to change the lives of the children in the program for the better, forever, and through this partnership, I believe we can accomplish just that."

For more information about BBBS of Metropolitan Chicago, visit: www.bbbschgo.org.