By Jennifer Crain
The concept behind Big Brothers Big Sisters is simple: pair adults in the community with at-risk children to provide stability for kids who need it most.
The program’s national roots are over 100 years old and our local chapter, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington, has been matching kids with community mentors since 1986. Today, they’re responsible for over 300 mentor-youth pairs in our area.
The program has continued for so long because it works. Not only do children ages 6 – 18 (“Littles”) and adult volunteers (“Bigs”) tend to stick with the program, but statistics back up their positive experiences.
According to a report released by the group this year, the consistent relationships orchestrated by the nonprofit lead to an increase in school attendance, more positive relationships with their families and a decreased likelihood that youth in the programs will engage in dangerous behaviors, among a myriad of other positive outcomes.
Outside research has also found the model to be effective. In one randomized trial the program demonstrated a “sizable decrease in youths’ drug and alcohol use and violent behavior.”
Results like these illustrate why the organization was named 2012 Nonprofit Organization of the Year by the Thurston Economic Development Council in April.
Big Brothers Big Sisters keep its programs strong through fundraising events such as Bowl For Kids’ Sake. The nonprofit’s signature event raises over $20 million nationally every year to strengthen programs at the local level.
In southwest Washington, the five-event series in April brought together groups from across the region to form teams, solicit sponsors and connect with the nonprofit. The event kick-off took place at Great Wolf Lodge and included some of the 78 kids currently on the waitlist to become a Little Brother or Little Sister. Thirty-five kids are waiting for matches in Thurston County.
Participants were competitive, with a number of bowlers raising many hundreds of dollars apiece.
But one fundraiser stood out. Sonya Wilcox, a court reporter and stenograph trainer says, “I am pathologically competitive, and when I commit to something, I try to do my very best. Last year I raised $5,700. This year I wanted to ‘outraise’ myself.”
She certainly did. This year her total came to $10,600.
“I saw so many children come through our court system who didn’t have the love, support, and encouragement that children need to grow and flourish,” says Wilcox, who spent three years working in Family and Juvenile Court. “Knowing that Big Brothers Big Sisters provides a safety net and help for these kids is fantastic.”
In addition to organizing two high-yielding raffles and petitioning for loose donations, Wilcox leveraged her expertise.
In exchange for dollars, she provided trainings for other court reporters to learn court reporting software and offered remote “lunchtime learning for charity” sessions, open to a national network of court reporters. Every nonprofit should be so lucky.
Jessi Brown, the Big Brothers Big Sisters Communications and Resource Coordinator, says she’s not surprised that people like Wilcox are enthusiastic supporters. People learn about the program and see the kind of impact it has on kids, she says, and it makes them want to get involved.
Brown, who is also a foster parent, was introduced to the organization years ago and paired with her Little Sister, Corriena, in 2010. This spring, she and the organization’s CEO, Roger Jones, were named Big Sister and Big Brother of the Year in Washington State.
“Something that really motivates me in life is having a return on my investment and I definitely experience that as a Big Sister. Everything I put into my relationship with my Little Sister, I get something back. I see her opening up, making better decisions, growing. Having that firsthand impact, it’s the coolest thing to see. But it’s not only subjective, it’s also in the statistics, which overwhelmingly prove that these relationships change these kids for the better.”
Jeff Engle would say so, too. Talking to him about his Little Brother, Lee Ashley, it’s clear the business development manager prioritizes time with the 13-year-old not only to be a positive presence in his life but because the two have a blast together.
Engle, an empty nester, started looking into volunteering as a mentor originally because, “I missed having kids around and it’s a chance to give something back.”
The two ride bikes around Olympia and have visited attractions such as Northwest Trek and Great Wolf Lodge. Lee’s favorite activity so far was attending a Mariners’ game. Tickets or entrance fees are sometimes donated by local businesses and individuals.
Engle says the relationship, which is closely monitored and supported by program staff, doesn’t feel obligatory or overly serious. Though the two discuss big topics, such as friends making bad choices and the importance of having boundaries, the majority of their time is spent having fun.
Lee’s grandmother, Susan Bauer, is pleased.
“Lee has been on the waiting list for two years,” she says, “and it’s a great match. Our patience did pay off.”
She adds that she wishes there were more men volunteering, a point echoed by Jessi Brown, saying boys wait about a year before being matched.
You don’t have to be a hero, says Leslie Strawn, currently the group’s Director of Development.
“Many of our boys come from single-parent homes and don’t have the benefit of a positive, dedicated male role model,” she says. “Boys say they just want someone to hang out with. There may be societal pressure to be Superman but really, all they want is someone to take them fishing or play sports together. Creating a positive experience is all that’s needed.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington
1802 Black Lake Boulevard SW
Suite 102
Olympia, WA 98512
(360) 943-0409
