Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern MA Celebrates Local Graduating Mentoring Match

A round of golf nearly a decade ago set Ryan Griffin-Goode on a path that now leads to college, where he'll study business management and PGA golf management at Coastal Carolina University this fall. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts (BBBSEM) is marking his graduation by recognizing his mentoring match.

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Griffin-Goode 18, of Waltham, was matched with Jake Alpert, 26, of Wakefield, through BBBSEM's Community Based Program in April of 2023. Golf became their anchor activity almost immediately, and the two have played courses across New England together ever since. Their time together also expanded into trying new restaurants, attending sporting games, and listening to music, with conversations shifting over the years from schoolwork to college plans and future goals.

"I've always encouraged Ryan to pursue his dreams and focus on what makes him truly happy," says Alpert. "He's a really smart kid and knows what he wants, so my main goal is just to be a sounding board and give him the confidence he needs to go after it."

What started as a shared hobby turned into a career path. Griffin-Goode’s interest in golf deepened over the course of their mentoring relationship, growing from casual rounds into something he wanted to pursue seriously. He now plans to become a PGA golf professional, either on tour or as a head pro at a golf course. The duo recently shared their mentoring experience during the BBBSEM’s annual Golf Classic, which raised more than $1.2 million to support the nonprofit’s life-changing one-to-one youth mentoring programs.

"Having a mentor is so important because it is someone else that you can lean on and get some solid advice from who has been through the same stuff that I have," says Griffin-Goode, "Learning from Jake has been an amazing time, and I'm looking forward to us growing in the future."

Mentoring remains one of the most effective tools for supporting young people's mental health, academic success, and self-confidence. A national study of 950 youth from eight Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies found that positive mentoring relationships result in stronger decision-making, improved academic outcomes, and more.

"Matches like Jake and Ryan's show how mentorship can shape not just who a young person becomes, but the specific path they choose to get there,” says Mark O'Donnell, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts President & CEO. “Jake showed up consistently for years, and Ryan is heading into college with a clear sense of purpose because of it."

In its 77th year, the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has created and served more than 25,000 matches and will serve over 4,000 matches this year. For more information, to become a volunteer or to register your children, visit: www.emassbigs.org.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is an innovative, energetic organization that is making a real difference in the lives of over 4,000 youth annually by providing them with an invested, caring adult mentor in long-term, professionally supported relationships. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is working to defend the potential of children facing adversity and ensure every child has the support from caring adults that they need for healthy development and success in life. The organization’s vision is to inspire, engage and transform communities in Eastern Massachusetts by helping youth achieve their full potential, contributing to healthier families, better schools, more confident futures and stronger communities. Throughout its 77 years, the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has created and served more than 25,000 youth. For more information about the agency and its mission, visit www.emassbigs.org.

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