Buddies stand next to their "towering" creations.
Weill Cornell medical students met with children and their parents for a day of fun and games for the annual "New Buddy" event held January 31 in Olin Hall. The event, arranged by the Office of Community Service, was sponsored by Big Buddies, a mentoring program that seeks to pair medical students with children from the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic. Now in its third year, the program has joined more than 30 buddy pairs with 17 currently active pairs.
Big Buddies, modeled after the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Program of New York, pairs Weill Cornell students with children aged 8 to 16 from the clinic for friendships that develop through everyday experiences such as reviewing homework, going to the movies or playing sports. Students are matched with their same-sex "littles" based on similar interests.
Buddies enjoy a magic show.
This special one-on-one relationship has reciprocal advantages: as a big buddy, the student provides the child with individual attention and serves as a positive role model. In the same vein, the relationship with the child allows the student to become acquainted with young people of different backgrounds and lifestyles, helping prepare the students for their future roles as physicians and child advocates.
Amid the pizza pies, soda and balloons scattered throughout the room, the students and children spent the afternoon playing games and making arts and crafts. Some of the activities included a friendly game of foosball—a game such as soccer or hockey played on a table with spinning handles—buddy pair versus buddy pair. The children and their big buddies made picture frames and participated in a tower-building contest, assembling the towers using construction paper, tape, and their imaginations. They were entertained by a magic show, and even got their hands dirty from decorating cookies with icing.
Buddies draw pictures together.
These interactive games and diversions served to introduce buddy pairs to each other, as well as for the family of the child to get acquainted with the student. Judging from the smiles seen on the faces of the day's participants, the event was a great success, and kicked off what looks to be lasting friendships for everyone involved.
Photos by Amelia Panico.