Big Brothers Big Sisters

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

As many of you know based on my previous posts, I'm a huge fan of doing something in your community. I've participated in AIDS walks, rebuilding a house for Habitat for Humanity, volunteer for CASA, done the reading exchange programs with children, things like that. I REALLY REALLY get a huge sense of satisfaction doing altruistic things for children.

It is easily the most positive and rewarding thing in my life. Up til now, these functions have basically been limited to small amounts of time or effort (Habitat was the most intense with about 9 or 10 visits over a summer). Well I decided to step it up some and see what more I could do in my community.

So, I just volunteered for Big Brothers, and am beginning the screening process. The counselors I spoke with indicated that this is a long term commitment, usually 2-4 hours a week, for a year. That's their goal. Most "Bigs" will start with their "little" at around 9-10 years old, and usually they are friends for life.

I figured I'd post the process here as I go through it, and the progress I'm making with my "little" as I get to know him. Maybe get advice from those of you who've done this program before.

Just wanted to share. I'm really looking forward to doing this!

www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org (http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org)

[Gan]

Congrats for you. I know you'll find the experience very rewarding.

[thefarmer]

I had a friend of mine do this when he was in HS. He's still in contact with the same guy, and my friend's in his 30's now.

[Daniel]

Liberal tree hugging hippie. It's the kids own damn fault if he can't get it together.

[Sean of the Thread]

I know this will scare you all but I mentor elementary kids and find it very rewarding. Except when I run into the little bastards in public and they run up and kick me in the nuts or something.

[Daniel]

True Story: John Mersheimer, the famous "realist\anti Jewish Lobby" political scientist used to be my little league baseball coach when I was a kid. One time, I thought it wuold be funny to throw a baseball dead into his nuts because he was bitching at someone about wearing a cup. He then proceeded to chance me around the baseball diamond for 10 minutes with a bat.

That's real power for that ass.