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Grants in Action
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado
Different Generations Becoming Friends
Of the many happy firsts that Jim Solomon has shared with his “little brother” Danny, one stands out. “The first time he jumped off a diving board,” Jim chuckles. “It took a couple trips to the end of the board before he finally jumped. I can still see him in my mind!”
As Jim gently laughs, the now-12-year-old Danny also smiles at his younger self, and another shared memory further cements the bond between the two. Jim has been mentoring Danny through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado for nearly five years. It has been a good match for both.
“It’s helped me get along with people better,” says Danny. “I get to have more fun because we do lots of things together.” This includes activities like swimming, skiing, attending sporting events and travels to interesting sites around the state like Great Sand Dunes National Park. Danny also credits Jim with building his confidence.
Big Brothers Big Sisters often attracts younger volunteers who are closer in age to the youth they mentor. Jim Solomon is one of a growing number of older volunteers – baby boomers who are cutting back on work but are not looking to retire from life. To help make sure that it is giving these volunteers the type of meaningful experience they are looking for, the organization has hosted several focus groups for baby boomers. The groups give boomer volunteers a chance to get to know each other, share their expertise and learn about current issues facing youth. Rose Community Foundation has supported the effort with a $5,000 grant through its Boomers Leading Change initiative.
“Baby boomers bring great breadth of experience,” says Sally Stoker, Big Brother Big Sisters’ training and professional development coordinator. “Many have had their own children. Their problem-solving skills are strong, and they don’t get thrown by crisis.”
Ann Kusic, VP operations, adds, “In general, adults this age offer consistency and stability. They can make a longer commitment because they are no longer in the busiest time of their lives.”
Sometimes the wisdom of the “Bigs”, as the mentors are known, is appreciated by more than just their mentee “Littles”. Many of the Littles’ parents are young, single mothers. Kusic relates an anecdote told by a boomer volunteer: “My Little’s mother said, ‘I wish I had a mentor!’”
Are there any drawbacks to being an older mentor? Stoker, herself a boomer, lightheartedly acknowledges that some of the older Bigs may be somewhat “technologically challenged” – unfamiliar with the gadgets and gizmos that their Littles take for granted. Still, she suggests how this can be turned into a positive. “It gives the Little an opportunity to be a teacher,” she says. “We talk about mentoring in terms of friendship. You’re not there to be an authority figure, you’re there to be a friend.”
In observing Jim and Danny, it is clear that both have found a friend. Jim shows Danny how to ski; Danny shows Jim how to build a solar engine. Both give something to the relationship, and both get something out of it. This type of reciprocation is just what Big Brothers Big Sisters encourages.
- From Impact, Rose Community Foundation's newsletter - Spring 2008.
"Big Brother" Jim Solomon
How Matches are Made
Once a potential volunteer indicates an interest in becoming a mentor, Big Brothers Big Sisters offers an introductory training of one to two hours to explain the program and answer questions. The next step is a volunteer interview, which gives staff some insight into the type of match that might be successful. Next is the most critical step – a check of the volunteer’s background and driving record. Finally, senior program staff reviews the application and if it is accepted, a match is found. All in all, the process generally takes one to three months. Big Brothers Big Sisters accepts adult mentors of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life.