Hey All!
It’s the end of the year already, can you believe it? My family and I have had so many amazing experiences in 2012 and we’ve also had some hard times. I always look forward to a new year as it’s always a new time for growth and to try new things. I personally would like to get back into mentoring in the new year. Have you thought about being a mentor? Latinos are very much needed as mentors in particular in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program! You can change lives in the new year! We come from a culture that thrives on community and supporting each other, let’s take the new year to give back to our youth!
About 20% of the children the Big Brothers Big Sisters program serves is Hispanic – a number on the rise. Yet, only 9% of their Big Mentors are Latino. They especially need male volunteers as more than 70% of the children on the wait list are boys, yet only 3 of 10 volunteer inquiries come from men.
It can be as much as an hour of your day to help mentor a child. You don’t need any special training or have to have any fancy job or education? Just being there to support and encourage a young child is all you need to do to be a good mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program! They’ve been doing it for over 100 years and you can too!
They have been dedicated to changing the lives of children all over the country and in 2013 why not take the time to be dedicated to changing lives as well.
What Does Big Brothers Big Sisters Do exactly you ask?
Well, They change lives! Compared to children not in their program, their kids are LESS likely to:
- Skip school.
- Use drugs.
- Begin drinking alcohol.
- Get into fights.
Children matched in Big Brothers Big Sisters programs maintain or improve in the three outcome areas which we hold ourselves accountable to—educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors and socio-emotional competency. Progress in these areas is linked to longer-term outcomes, such as high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency, and job readiness. Finally, 81% of adults who participated in our program as Littles say their Big Brother or Big Sister caused them to broaden their horizons – to change what they thought possible in life.1 Imagine the possibilities for our youth.
Again about 20% of the children they serve are Hispanic – a number on the rise. Yet, only 9% of their Bigs Mentors are Latino. Also, more than 70% of the children ready and waiting to be matched with a mentor are boys, yet only 3 of 10 volunteer inquiries come from men. Latinos have a strong heritage of volunteering in their neighborhoods and places of worship. Latinos can have a big impact now that will not only help one child but help an entire community – our community.
So when you’re thinking of your New Years resolutions this year why not resolve to make a difference in a child’s life and become a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters program!
Please check out Latino Bigs today to see how you can easily become a mentor to our youth in the New Year. A few hours of your day during the week is all it takes! Let’s make 2013 a great year of growth not only for ourselves but for our youth!
Your mentorship can make a huge difference in so many amazing children’s lives. For even more info you can also LikeLatino Bigs on Facebook and follow along on Twitter.
Comments
Big Brother and Big Sisters is a great program forany cjild.It is especially important if it isd a one parent house hold.Your article was excellent.