Oct 12, 2008 - 11:30 AM

By Chris Hall

NORTH DURHAM -- Almost each and every Monday morning, David Stell makes a slight detour on his way to work in Ajax, winding his way from his Port Perry home to the nearby Prince Albert Public School.

That's when the fun and games begin each work-week for the 37-year-old married father of two.

In that single hour, Mr. Stell abandons thoughts of his communications specialist job with the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade and instead focuses on bringing a smile to the face of his longtime 'Little Brother', Nick.

Whether it's picking up a basketball and shooting some hoops with the Grade 8 student, battling for a puck along the rural school's gymnasium floor or listening to the youngster share his thoughts, Mr. Stell knows it's time well spent.

The 60 minutes required each week to be a volunteer with the Big Brothers-Big Sisters of North Durham's in-school mentoring program slip by quickly, but it's more then enough to allow a strong friendship to form, said Mr. Stell recently.

A former journalist and managing editor of the Port Perry Star, Mr. Stell recalls penning a story about the program a little more than 10 years ago during its inception in another community. The idea stuck in his head and a change in his career, bringing him back to his hometown of Port Perry shortly after learning about the program, sparked a further interest.

And, while he had never actually served as a traditional 'Big Brother', Mr. Stell explained that a friend involved with the local agency lead to his eventual involvement with the non-profit organization that serves Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock.

"I wanted to help in some way, but the week is so full with work and family as it is. So an hour once a week, basically just giving up four lunch hours in a month, seemed like a much smaller sacrifice," he explained.

Partnering up with a 'Little Brother' is a relatively simple process, according to Sharon Murdoch, the north Durham agency's in-school mentoring coordinator. Those interested in taking part must undergo a stringent screening process and an interview with Big Brothers-Big Sisters officials, as well as provide a clean police report and three references. Whatever activities the tandem decide to participate in after they're matched is up to them, she explained recently.

"I made sure Sharon Murdoch knew my interests before matching me with a child and I'm a big fan of games and sports. Nick and I play a lot of floor hockey in the school gym, or we take any sports equipment that grabs our interest on a given day and make up our own game with it. I love it. He even lets me win sometimes," said Mr. Stell.

"There are some days when we play chess or just walk around the school yard and talk about whatever he wants to. But that's rare. Most kids have a hard time just opening up about what they are thinking, especially boys I think, so it's been that way with each of the little brothers I've been with. I've learned not to push it and they open up whenever they need to and my greatest success has just been to listen."

And it's that quality time they spend together each week, continued Mr. Stell, that has allowed him to see Nick grow up and mature before his eyes.

"Thinking of Nick when we first met and seeing him today, I think he's almost a different person. I think it's just that period of a person's life when they make the biggest leaps from being a full-time kid to being a part-time adult. He's so much more mature now and I can see he's going to be a really great guy as he gets older," said Mr. Stell. "He's thoughtful and kind and instead of being his mentor anymore, I now look at him more as a good friend. I feel really fortunate to have had the chance to become a part of his life."

The program is currently in place at 10 schools across Scugog and Uxbridge, in cooperation with the Durham District School Board. Each of the students involved with the effort are nominated by school officials.

"We're simply looking for caring adults who can dedicate one hour a week to have fun with a student in school," explained Ms. Murdoch. The goal, she continued, is to increase the child's self-esteem and self-confidence.

"We don't just put two warm bodies together, we want to get a match that is meaningful and that has some chemistry," said Ms. Murdoch of the program.

Those participating in the mentoring program are asked to commit to at least one school year and the effort is geared toward those in Grades 4 to 8. The program only runs from September to June and mentors are not required when students are not in class, such as over the Christmas and March breaks.

Contributing one hour a week to a child in need of a friend, and father-figure, is an easy and rewarding task that Mr. Stell says fits right into his lifestyle.

"Well, first off, I'm a Christian, so volunteering and helping others is just important to me in all aspects of life. I've been inspired by many people I've known over the years who have volunteered in different kinds of charities or organizations. I have two children of my own and I want them to be similarly inspired to reach out to help others when they can as well."

And, he continued, the local Big Brothers-Big Sisters agency is a wonderful organization that can always use some support.

"I think the north Durham group is really well run. As for the Big Brothers program itself, I think it's really worthwhile, especially the in-school mentoring," Mr. Stell said. "I had reservations at first that one hour a week wouldn't be very helpful to a kid, but I was really wrong. I know Nick really looks forward to that day we get together each week and I can see the subtle ways I've made an impact on him," he said, pointing to the support he gets from his employer towards the program.

"Another thing people should know is that most companies are really supportive of this kind of community involvement. When I requested changing my work hours slightly one day per week to accommodate being a mentor, they were completely behind me. I think most companies would be if one of their staff asked them."