Big Brothers Big Sisters on the way to the Valley

There's a move afoot to bring a new youth-related program to the Valley, and it seems to be gaining steam even while it's just in the beginning stages.

For years, people in the Valley have been talking about a need for a Big Brothers Big Sisters program in the area. With a lot of families here facing unique challenges, some believe Valley kids could really benefit from a positive mentoring program.

"Being at a middle school, so many of us come from such different backgrounds, different parts of the country and even district," said Andrew Murr, principal at Houston Middle School. "We just saw a huge need out here."

Murr isn't alone. He's just one of many who have recently jumped on the bandwagon, ready to bring Big Brothers Big Sisters to the Valley.

"The discussion with the Valley has gone on for years -- but it's really come together in the last 6 months," said Jennifer Stogsdill, program director and casework supervisor for Big Brothers Big Sisters. "We had a few people willing to meet on a regular basis to try to figure out how we can fund a Valley program."

Although more recently involved in the planning effort, Murr said he and other teachers on his staff are excited about bringing the program to the Valley.

"A couple of our staff people got involved early on in the planning," Murr said. When those driving the recent fundraising effort needed help planning the event, he said he got involved. He said although he's not been a Big Brother or a Little Brother but he recognizes that the program can fill an ever-widening gap in both Alaska and the national society.

"In our community, and nationwide, we've had a huge change in the family structure," Murr said. "There are a lot of kids out there that don't have adults to identify with. Those kids don't have some of the opportunities other kids do."

Who benefits the most?

Lanie Fleischer, executive director at Big Brothers Big Sisters' Anchorage office, said studies have shown time and again the positive impacts of mentoring.

"One of the things we find mentors do for kids is give them a view of a positive future the kids may not otherwise have," Fleischer said. "That's something that doesn't come naturally or easily -- if kids don't have positive adults or see how adults behave positively, they may not have as positive a future."

One of the biggest revelations to some children in the program, Fleischer said, is that the mentors who are spending an hour a week with them aren't getting paid to do so. She shared a story about an Anchorage Big Brother-Little Brother pairing in which the "Little" was testing the "Big," skeptical that this adult wanted to spend time with him. After a while, Fleischer said, the boy finally asked the mentor how much he was getting paid to spend time with him. The answer -- nothing -- left the child speechless and served as a turning point in the relationship.

"When someone values them enough to want to be with them, not because they're getting paid or because they're their parents, but just because they want to be, that's so worthwhile," Fleischer said.

Stogsdill pointed out that, while studies have shown the mentoring relationship to be very valuable to children, it's often just as valuable to the mentor. Again, speaking to studies that have been done on the effects of mentoring and on volunteering, Stogsdill said people who mentor and get involved in volunteer activities are generally more productive and pleased with their lives than those who do not.

"Our 'Bigs' are not shy about saying this is a two-way street," Fleischer said. "[They say] 'I get as much out of this as they do. He's my friend.'"

Fleischer added that the friendships developed through the program are often very strong, and continue on for many years after the relationship is considered "closed" by Big Brothers Big Sisters' standards. Most relationships tend to last three years within the Big Brothers Big Sisters framework, Fleischer said, but the majority continue their friendships outside that framework. One of the primary reasons for a relationship to "close" is because one of the parties moves, Fleischer said. Even then, as the national Big Brothers Big Sisters program is celebrating its centennial anniversary and coordinating a "Big" and "Little" reunion this summer, staff who are contacting former "Bigs" and "Littles" are finding that as high as 60 percent of those involved in the program have stayed in touch even years after stopping involvement with the program.

Bringing "Bigs" and "Littles"

to the Valley

Jeff Kenyon, who runs Alaska Open Imaging, has been a driving force behind bringing Big Brothers Big Sisters to the Valley. He said he got involved in the program through a business associate a few years ago, but it was with one goal in mind -- to bring the program to the Valley. Although others have taken a stab at bringing the program to the Valley in years past, Kenyon firmly believes the program will be up and running in the Valley -- within the year.

"I think we have a lot of the right pieces in the equation," Kenyon said. "I think we're going to get it put through this time."

Kenyon pointed out the success of the recent Bowl for Kids Sake tournament, which netted about $12,000, although additional assistance was given through in-kind donations. He said another event like that may bring in enough to get a case worker here and get the program off the ground.

Compared to other youth-oriented organizations, Big Brothers Big Sisters has a low running cost. Fleischer said opening a Valley branch could run as little as $80,000 a year. That money, she said, would provide funding for one full-time caseworker who would be responsible for helping applicants and volunteers through the screening process, get matched up and keep their one-to-one relationship moving forward. Not needing a large facility to house the operation makes fundraising easier -- all that's needed is a small office, a computer, a locking file cabinet and a phone, Fleischer said. The screening and administrative work are primarily all that happens in this office, Fleischer said -- most of the mentoring meetings take place at other locations -- schools, after-school programs and the like.

Because the program is free to both mentors and children, those donated funds are ever more important, Fleischer said.

"It's not fee-based, which is why we have to do so much fundraising," Fleischer said. "All the money comes from individual donations, grants … but the program works because of the professional staff -- they do a tremendous job."

There's already a lot of interest from people interested in giving young people an opportunity to be in a mentoring program. Fleischer said her office has been in contact with the Greater Palmer and Wasilla Boys and Girls Club, which has expressed a need for adult mentors, and several school principals and teachers, like Murr, have already got involved in the program.

Stogsdill said a lot of people from the Valley have asked how to become part of the program when it gets rolling, and the group has set up a telephone number people can call for more information. That number is 357-2227, or 357-BBBS. People interested in becoming a volunteer, getting their child into the program or who want to donate funds or services to help get the program started are welcome to call, Stogsdill said.

It's just a matter of time, Kenyon said, before the program is up and running -- and it's just about time.

"It's a challenge for Valley residents -- Valdez has one, Homer has one … come on, community, let's get going!" Kenyon said. "I think it's time we get this into existence and get behind it."

Contact Rindi White at rindi.white@frontiersman.com.