Big Role Models Program Educates Teens About Importance of Mentoring
After a successful inaugural year, Big Role Models, a program of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas, is gearing up for an expanded second campaign. Big Role Models is currently recruiting 50 10th graders—25 boys and 25 girls—for a program that runs August through May of participants’ junior year. During that time, the students compile education and volunteering hours, which expose them to a variety of Big Brothers Big Sisters programs and events. The events fulfill the first goal of the Big Role Models program—educating a wider young audience as to the philosophy and aims of the organization
“Every month they have an activity,” says Colleen Carr, development coordinator. “There are different types of activities, sometimes it’s an event that we’re having, sometimes it’s going over to the Boys and Girls Club where we have mentoring relationships happening.”
Big Role Models programming also helps meet a second organizational goal, which is to inspire future participation in the group’s community-based mentoring. Big Brother Big Sisters’ primary function matches youth (“Littles”) with adult mentors (“Bigs”). Bigs commit to spending 2-3 hours, two or three times per month with Littles to lend a hand with homework, offer guidance and support or share an outing of some kind. Littles gain a stable, positive adult influence by which they can pattern behaviors in school, at home and in life.
Carr says Role Models get a “sneak peek” at the mentoring relationship (minimum age for the community-based program is 19) thus helping Big Brothers Big Sisters create a pool of future mentors.
“(Volunteers under 18) can be part of our site-based program which is where we work with kids at Boys and Girls Clubs one hour a week,” she says. “While that’s a blessing and it’s wonderful, the real life-changer is our community-based program and so we want to cultivate those future volunteers.”
Role Models also learn firsthand the monetary challenges that not-for-profits face. Each Role Model is required to raise $3,000 for the organization, which helps meet immediate needs but also seeks to establish a habit of financially supporting worthwhile groups into adulthood.
Sibling Revelry
The Big Role Models program was conceived and launched by the Central Arkansas chapter, and attracted 24 juniors its first year. The success of the program has attracted the notice of the national organization, a fact Carr points to with pride.
Carr, who has been in her role for less than two years, is quick to share the credit for the Big Role Models program, but her personal and professional fingerprints are all over it. A modeling talent agent for 10 years, she’s built an unusual coalition of support from her former life to lend excitement to her new pursuit.
“The fashion community has really wrapped around (the program),” she says. “I’d been in the fashion world and I love that industry, but I didn’t feel like we were doing very much for other people. I went to them and said, ‘Hey guys, let’s step up, let’s lift up some kids, let’s do something good with all this influence we have.’”
Her former peers and associates responded with a unique thank-you to program participants. Each Role Model receives a fashion shoot and a year-end gala. Dubbed “The Big Event,” the runway show celebrates their accomplishments as Role Models and as young people of character. “I’m blessed to still have great relationships with fashion photographers in the Little Rock area,” Carr says. “They go in with these kids and for free they do beautiful photography of them, complete with the makeup artists and stylist.”
Carr says the photos are designed to capture the essence of the Big Role Models as individuals, a spirit which increasingly values community service and helping others. “When I came in, I knew Big Brothers Big Sisters was a great thing but I didn’t understand anything about it. So I know awareness is a big problem,” she says. “I know the power of kids and they’ve been amazing. When I went through school, you were left to figure out how you were going to do community service; these kids actually know what they need to do.”
All Role Models are recommended for consideration to the program; some from Big Brother Big Sisters board members or donors and others by their school or other civic organization in the community. Recommendations for the upcoming school year will be accepted through May, with next year’s group announced in June.
Future Mentors
Photos of Jeff and Madison by Dero Sanford
Jeff Dalby, a junior at Central Arkansas Christian, and Madison Wright, a student at North Little Rock High School, both participated in the Big Role Models program this year. Here’s what they had to say about the experience.
How has participating in Big Role Models impacted you this year?
Jeff: I was adopted and was in many of the places these children are today. I am encouraged to see there are individuals trying to make a difference in the lives of others.
Madison: Participating in the Big Role Model program definitely caused me to have a heightened sense of responsibility in both raising money for the program, attending photo shoots, and volunteering at events.
What was your favorite activity?
Madison: My favorite activity was going to the Billy Mitchell Boys and Girls Club where we got to interact with the potential Littles. They are so fun, full of life, and full of surprises. It really made me want to become a mentor.
Do you think you’ll go on to become a mentor when you’re older?
Jeff: I would love to be a mentor when I get older because they help shape the lives children in a positive way.
To learn more, visit BBBSCA.org.