Any of you guys/ gals ever thought of volunteering to be a Big Brother?

[la_triathlete]

Hey guys,

OK, so I assume that most of you are genuine good guys and have good hearts. So, I figured I'd do a quick plug for The Big Brothers/ Big Sisters organizations. I'm not sure if any of you already do this kind of volunteering, but hopefully you have heard about it.

I live in Los Angeles and have been a big brother for about 3.5 years. There are a lot of young kids out there that are in need of a role model, someone they can just hang out with, trust, and know will be a consistent presence in their life. More so for the guys, you should know that there is a long waiting list for young boys to be matched up with big brothers (women volunteer more, so there is actually a waiting list for Big Sisters to get matched up with little sisters). A lot of these kids come from not that great a family/ home life, so any adult that can be a constant and positive presence in their life is a plus.

Here is what is involved: The minimum time you are asked to commit to is 1 year. You meet up with a “little” once every other week, and just hang out with them for a few hours. There is no need to spend a lot of money taking them to big events (sports event, amusement park, etc…) Sometimes (actually, most of the time) doing something that just connects the two of you is better- play football, throw a baseball around, go for a hike, help your little do their homework, go to the beach (for you guys on the coasts, etc). The biggest thing for a lot of these kids is just knowing that you are there for them, that you care, and that there is an adult in their life that will be consistent!

OK, so, I’m not sure if any of you have the interest or time, but it is worth the time and energy (and I admit that sometimes, I expend much more energy hanging out with my little brother than I do in the gym, and that is saying a lot).

I’m more than happy to talk to any of you guys more about my experience being a big. I know that a lot of the Big Brothers/ Big Sisters organizations are in SERIOUS need to men to step up to the plate and be a Big. Hopefully one of you guys will have time and interest in doing this.

Thanks for letting me “promote” this organization on the site.

LA

[jsupstarz]

Originally Posted by la_triathlete

There are a lot of young kids out there that are in need of a role model,

Hey "role model", right up in your alley!!!

[aragorn1500]

I've wanted to do this, but a few years ago, a female co-worker of mine did apply and she was turned down.
She didn't tell me why, and I didn't ask, but she did tell me that they do a background check and unless they found out something dirty about her, I have no idea why she wasn't approved.

I have already been cleared by my states child abuse background check and by the state police.

[la_triathlete]

Originally Posted by jsupstarz

Hey "role model", right up in your alley!!!

jsupstarz- are you in LA? If so, and you are interested in being a Big Brother, e-mail me directly and lets talk!

[la_triathlete]

Originally Posted by aragorn1500

I've wanted to do this, but a few years ago, a female co-worker of mine did apply and she was turned down.
She didn't tell me why, and I didn't ask, but she did tell me that they do a background check and unless they found out something dirty about her, I have no idea why she wasn't approved.

I have already been cleared by my states child abuse background check and by the state police.

Hey aragorn1500- Yes, they do a background check. Any felony conviction will automatically disqualify you. The main reason for the background check is probably to see if someone has a history of child abuse, predation, or general violence. Also, I think any reckless driving, DUI/ DWI history may disqualify someone as well, as it is expected that a Big be able to safely transport a little if an outing so requires it. I really have no idea what other reasons there are to disqualify someone, but it does happen.

[oldtimer]

The idea is great, but you need to be careful. Anytime you work with someone else's child, you have to always pay extra care that you don't do anything (even an innocent hug) that might be used against you in court, especially that many people on this board are juicers, so the jury will be inclined to believe anything bad about the person even if he was a good guy.

[la_triathlete]

Originally Posted by oldtimer

The idea is great, but you need to be careful. Anytime you work with someone else's child, you have to always pay extra care that you don't do anything (even an innocent hug) that might be used against you in court, especially that many people on this board are juicers, so the jury will be inclined to believe anything bad about the person even if he was a good guy.

Woooooo!!! Yes, they are not your kid, so you have to be respectful of the parent 's (99% of the time it is a single parent house hold, or no parents at all) wishes. That said, the parent also recognized that the organization picked the Big because they are responsible. The parent may have rules in their house, but when my little is with me, I have rules taht the parent and little must respect as well. This is not a co-parent situation, I will be the first to say that, but if my rules are that I do not eat or buy fast food for my little, that is the rule. If when he is not with me, the parent takes them out to fast food all the time, so be it, but with me, that is not happening, and the parent can't tell me to go out and buy their kid a cheese burger at McDonalds.

As for an innocent hug- I give my little brother "innocent hugs" and smacks on the back of his head all the time, and I don't plan on stopping! I think you are being a bit over-reactive about this. I have never heard about a Big being taken to court, nor any issue about a Big being "too affectionate" with a little. Quite honestly, if anyone out there feels this way, they probably wouldn't be a good match for a little brother or sister.

Sure, there are plenty of guys on here that juice (I admit it, I do) but that does not take away from my ability to be a consistent, responsible, affectionate, and tough Big.

Oldtimer, while I can see your point, it is not a concern I have ever heard of from other Bigs, parents of littles, the Big Brother/ Big Sisters organization, or anyone else associated with the program. I am good friends with members of the board and with the president of the Los Angeles chapter, and never once have I head any of these issues come up- and trust me, I have heard plenty of stories from people in the know. 99.99999999999% of the stories are about the treatment of the littles by their parent, family, forster family, legal system, etc. never have I head of a big being in trouble for any mistreatment of the little.

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by la_triathlete

. Also, I think any reckless driving, DUI/ DWI history may disqualify someone as well, as it is expected that a Big be able to safely transport a little if an outing so requires it. I really have no idea what other reasons there are to disqualify someone, but it does happen.

Whoops! There's goes my eligibility.

[prodigy06]

edit..way out of line

[la_triathlete]

Originally Posted by Grizzly

Whoops! There's goes my eligibility.

Ah, man!!! Come on Grizzly, I thought you were a perfect applicant, LOL!

[la_triathlete]

way out of line

Well, there goes the neighborhood. Oh, by the way, isn't the age of consent 18years old? I think 16 or 17 would still be a bit young. But think about it this way, if you were a big to a little 16/17 year old sister, it sounds like the felony conviction would be right around the block, so you probably wouldn't last too long in tghe program, LOL

[Bigkarch]

I had a big brother for two years...my bioligical father didnt have much to go with me...my big brother meant a lot to me..........still keep in contact after 20 yrs.......if you have the time..do it...it means a lot to a young man or woman that needs someone

[Bigkarch]

Originally Posted by Grizzly

Whoops! There's goes my eligibility.

LOL.....you crack me up..

[prodigy06]

Originally Posted by prodigy06

edit..way out of line

sorry, didn't mean any harm by that one.

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by prodigy06

sorry, didn't mean any harm by that one.

It was fine. Karch was just drunk and being bossy.