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Research shows that kids who have solid relationships with adults do better in school and ultimately better in life. But not every child has that opportunity. In this week's Break the Cycle we visit with an agency that's been matching children with caring adults for many years.
You probably know their name, it's Big Brothers Big Sisters. Its goal is to provide a healthy mentor for every child that needs or wants one.
Arn Salao is a great example. A Big Brother for just under a year he says he never thought he'd have time to volunteer.
"The big part was time. I'm very busy and I never really thought I'd have the time to do it. But you sit down and you look at what you've got planned and you make plans for the things you enjoy doing and that's what I did with Big Brothers Big Sisters"
Last March Arn signed on to become a Big Brother. After a background check and interview he was matched with 13-year-old Thomas. Now the pair meets two or three times a month for a couple of hours doing things they both enjoy.
Thomas says, "It's great
Director Peggy Owens says what Big Brothers Big Sisters aims to do is break bad cycles before they start, she calls it a prevention program, "We want to help kids stay on the right track. It's easier to do that then it is to turn children around, it really is."
Owens says almost any adult can contribute to a child's life, many times by simply including them
"I mean just taking the child to the grocery store with you going home and helping you fix dinner or going fishing or going for a walk it's what you're doing anyway," Owens says. "You can include that child in your day-to-day activities and that's a real win-win for you and the child."
And of course the relationship goes both ways. For example, Arn says Thomas is teaching him lots of things, like how to be a better driver.
"On the way here today we're driving, and Thomas is like 'Arn you're speeding, you're speeding,' so you're right I better slow down. Plus he's taught me to be more positive and have a good attitude so he's been all that."
Right now Big Brothers Big Sisters is particularly looking to recruit men because there are lots of boys who could use a mentor. They also have a school-based program that involves a time commitment of just one hour a week.
Participants are required to commit to the relationship for a year but many find the benefits are life long.
To become a Big Brother or Big Sister, call 1-888-773-2447.
To contact the Newsroom, call 907-274-1111.
