It takes just a little commitment to be a Big

by Sharlene Irete

R-C People Editor

An hour as a Big Brother or Big Sister could make a difference in a child's life.

"One hour, one day a week is a very small commitment to make, but could make a big difference to a kid," said Carol Scott, match support specialist for Big Brothers Big Sisters organization of Northern Nevada.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters kicks off the Bigs in School match event, 11:15 a.m. Thursday in the Carson Valley Middle School cafeteria.

The Bigs in School mentoring program at Carson Valley and Pau-Wa-Lu middle schools matches volunteer mentors with middle school students who need and want a Big Brother or Big Sister. The matches meet at the school for an hour once a week at lunch or after school.

"The program is for kids who need an adult mentor " someone with low self-esteem, someone who's picked on at school, who doesn't have a role model at home or someone raised in a one-parent family or by grandparents," said Scott.

A young person may go to a teacher, school counselor or parent to request a Big Brother or Big Sister.

"Once other kids see the Bigs meeting at school, they say, 'How do I get a Big?'" said Scott.

"The process of matching the Bigs with the kids is almost like a dating service. We want to match their interests " what the Big is looking for and what the child is looking for. We want the matches to work for at least a year."

Scott said many high school students have already volunteered to become Big Brothers and Sisters, but adults are encouraged to participate.

"We've been getting referrals for kids who want Bigs from middle school teachers and counselors since January," she said. "All of the Bigs are ready, all of the Littles are ready. Hopefully if the program takes off, we will expand to the elementary schools.

"Being a Big is a great opportunity to make an impact on a child's life."

About Big Brothers and Big Sisters:

'Bigs' candidates could be adults or high school students. Children matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister are likely to have:

n improved school attitude and performance,

n lower chances of involvement in drugs, gangs and violence,

n improved relationships with family, peers and teachers,

n improved social skills and are less likely to lie to a parent.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters organization is accepting referrals for children in grades 6-8 who would benefit from having a Big Brother or Big Sister.

Information, Carol Scott at Big Brothers Big Sisters, 283-0606 or www.bbbsnn.org