By TONIA ANDRUS
Helping both the community and BYU students, The BYUSA Access program is the largest of its kind on campus, and its students assist families or children from the community who need love, time and attention.
More than 300 BYU students are involved in the program, which is similar to the Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America organization. Volunteers visit their access family for at least one hour a week, helping them with homework, doing activities or just talking.
The program is a great way for BYU students to get involved and serve others. 'The community is helped each time the family is helped and that's what we do,' said Edwin Wells, a senior from Vacaville, Calif., majoring in human biology.
Some volunteers said what they enjoy most about the program is getting to know the children. 'I love it. The best part is the kids, it makes you feel so loved to be with them,' said Kara Smith, a freshman from Provo majoring in secondary education.
'Last year when I went home from school, these are the guys (her Access family) that I missed most,' said Betsy Farnsworth, a junior them Centerville, Davis County, majoring in English. 'It's nice when you're not home with your family to be around the children,' Farnsworth said.
Greg Dibb, a senior from Atlanta majoring in manufacturing engineering, said his favorite thing is 'hanging out with Jason,' his Access brother. Dibb's partner, Liz Geigle, a junior from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, majoring in family science said, 'It's little things you do that make the world better,' Geigle said.
Jim Hawkes, the program's director, said it is a great activity to be involved in because, 'We need to overlook ourselves and this helps us think of others. There is a need for good role models, even here in Happy Valley.'
'The best part is the love the kids have, they look forward to you coming, they want you to come. It's as good as it gets,' Hawkes said.
'If I can make a difference in one hour, just see them smile, then it's worth it,' said Eliza Miller, a sophomore from Provo majoring in elementary education.
The children in the program are referred by government programs that do not have the resources to help the children. BYUSA also takes references from elementary school teachers.
Parents are vary pleased with the program, Hawkes said. 'The parents are excited with the program because the kids are excited. They like seeing their kids happy. They trust us,' Wells said.
'I have a great family, and I can share that with others,' Dibb said.
Volunteers develop a strong relationship with the children they work with. 'We worry about Jason,' Dibb said. 'And when he's not doing okay, we want to help out.'