Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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6 incbe uuyb ' ' *^9jBy?^BJP^HL vSh^H^^PHk :^B BIO BROTHERS/ BIO SISTERS OF GREATER COLUMBIA INC. Young boys in the Columbia area need Big Brothers willing to spend meaningful time with them. CHRIS DIXON Asst. Features Editor Children are the future, but in the 1990's, children have a bleak road ahead of them, especially those who do not have a positive adult role model to look up to. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Columbia Inc. has been preparing children in the midlands to become future leaders of America since 1966. Unfortunately, the organization has over 100 African-American male children on it's waiting list, some of which have been waiting several months to be matched up with a Big Brother. According to Nicole Spain, director of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Mentor Center, the children, who range in age from seven to eighteen years old, mostly come from single-parent households. "Nine times out of ten, mothers would more quickly call in to get mentors for their sons than they would for their daughters," she said. They usually say they don't have a lot of male role models either within that home or within their surroundings. They want an opportuni IP AT FIRST YOU SUCC TRY, TRY AGAIN. In the latest DALBAR Consumer ticipants all they neet Satisfaction Survey, a comprehensive financial goals and lo study of 2,000 financial service companies In the years to < ? banks, mutual funds, brokerages, and harder to enhance th insurers - TIAA-CREF was voted the vice and innovative s i--j: rptirement plans. help them build a se . leauiug piu>iuw v. . ^ We'll try to do better next time. tomorrow. Maybe th Not that we mind the recognition, it's best minds in the ns just that a lot of people expect nothing less with their money, b than the best from us. Over 1.8 million indi- Find out mon viduals in higher education and research, to retirement planninj be exact. And frankly, so do we. 1 800 842-2776 weel Day after day, for over 75 years, we've or visit our Web site put eveiything we've got into giving our par- http://www.tiaa-cref HEE Ensuring the future for those who shape it.5" CREF certificates are distributed by TIAA-CREF Individual and Institutii The Gamecock Thursday, Oc ^ v "4? w m Trx-fc 4" jubi wain k Some of Columbia's children lacl us were lucky enough to have grow ticular tend to have fewer adult con er program can make a big differen they the need the help of willing v ty for their kids to be matched up with a male that would be a good, positive role model." Even though Big Brothers/Big Sisters does cross racial matches, most of the children ask for a role model that looks like them. "It gives them an opportunity to see that even if they have had some bad experiences with their absent father, they can spend some time with another male that they can identify with," Spain said. "It gives them an opportunity to talk to somebody that's going to be non judgmental. This is just an older adult that they can talk to, and that can give them advice, and they don't have to worry about them rep nmanding them. I really feel that in order to have a really well rounded sense of who you are, you always need a mentor." Spain said some of the children are a little apprehensive at first, but after a month, they start to open up and feel comfortable around their Big Brother. Once the children begin to open up, they learn a myriad of things, including manners, respect, and academic and career goals. "They learn by example," she said. "They watch their Big Brothers in a public setting and see how they are to behave. They show them conflict resolution, and that's one of the best benefits of the program." Spain said after about three months, the children become attached to their Big Brothers. The volunteers also become attached to the children, and fear of attachment is why some men are hesitant to commit to volunteering. Tm not male bashing, but sometimes guys are a little concerned about commitment," she said. "Even though there is that fear, I think they overcome it because the relationship is so great. Kids nowadays are going through some serious things. As you start to interact with the kids, you really learn some of the things we might have considered no big deal, because we really didn't know what was going on in the kids' minds. They can look through a kids eyes at what this world has to offer them, if it has anything to offer." Children are barraged by negative images of African-Americans, which often causes them to see themselves in a negative light. Big Brothers show the children they can make something positive out of their lives. The program also breaks stereotypes by showing the community as a whole a positive image of African-Americans. "Kids are watching an awful lot of television," Spain said. "They are hearing a lot of negative images of African-American men. To EED, l ^ 1 to help fulfill their ng-term expectations. --"-'11 ?rnrl/ P\/Pn UUUlCi wt 11 ttvi? v. ie level of personal seriolutions we offer to cure and rewarding Order 1 lat s why so many of the Wedne ition trust us not just q ut with their future. : about America's USC B g experts. Call us at {days 8 am to 11 pm ET, ; on the Internet at r???????? anal Services, i tober 19,1995 _ 1 ?.,^i ) nave lum (the adult role models that most of ring up. African-American boys in parinterparts. Fortunately, the Big Brothice in the lives of these children. But olunteers. have a role model that shows them something totally opposite, opens their eyes and they see they don't have to be uneducated, and not have a voice, and trapped into the particular situations that they that they are dealing with right now. As people see Big Brothers with their Little Brothers out in the community, they get a better view of who we are as African-Americans." Volunteers range in age from their 20^ to their ^s, with the largest group in their late 20's. Volunteers are matched with the children based on their interests, hobbies, and future aspirations. Big Brothers usually help their Little Brothers with academics and social skills. They can also do any other activity they choose, with the approval of the child's parents. "Kids need adults who will help them in finding themselves," Spain said. "Kids are always searching for who they are and what it is they were put on this Earth to do. All I can say is be a brother to a brother. Give them an opportunity to have the same types of positive experiences you have had." Anyone interested in volunteering in a Mentoring Program can call Big Brothers/Big Sisters at 691-5700. BIO BROTHER/ BIQ SISTER OF GREATER COLUMBIA INC. Girls in this area also need strong female role models. Vs ^ '<15? *' stop bythe Herff ^ Jones display and C % our sales represen ^ $ tative wi" be happy to assist you with your selection. four USC Class Ring! sday, Thursday & Friday HERFF JONES Ct?W 00 - 4 00 College Rings ookstore - Russell House $30 deposit required w congenial personal stereo... p-1