Big Brothers-Big Sisters active in Santa Paula but more volunteers needed
February 19, 2016
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Sometimes a kid really needs a friend that’s more like family and Big Brothers-Big Sisters (BB-BS) of Ventura County continues to do just that, providing friendship and care for younger children by adults and teenagers.
Those attending Good Morning Santa Paula heard all about the program at the Chamber of Commerce sponsored breakfast held in January at Fight 126 Café.
Fred Robinson, Chamber President/CEO introduced the BB-BS of Ventura County team.
Rene Solem said she started mentoring and befriending a little girl as a volunteer “Big Sister” and later she was hired by the nonprofit agency as director of external affairs.
Jasmin Gallegos, also a program participate, is also the Santa Paula Program Coordinator; with them was Jennifer Gonzalez, a Santa Paula High School 9th grader and herself a Big Sister.
The agency serves children facing adversity: “They can be from broken homes and living with one parent, in foster care…whatever the child’s background,” there’s an older sibling for them that will enrich their life.
The program serves children 6 to 17 years old but a new program in Fillmore has started for pre-school age.
The program offers community and school based one-on-one visits where the Big becomes a friend and mentor.
“It grew to mentor the whole family,” which said Solem was even more gratifying.
“We want to reach out and touch more children in Santa Paula, have you bring a child into your life to create for them a sense of security and belonging…”
Gonzalez is involved in the school-based programs at McKevett, Blanchard, Barbara Webster and Grace Thille Elementary Schools.
Children are matched with Santa Paula High School students who visit with the child weekly for one or two hours for the entire school year.
“It’s awesome to see the bonds they create,” said Gallegos. “The younger kids really look to their ‘Big’ for support…we’re constantly checking up how the match is going and how both the ‘Big’ and their ‘Little’ are doing.”
The Santa Paula school programs noted Solem, is popular and effective.
Children are usually matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister, gender to gender.
“Why should I get involved?” Gonzalez said she is asked. “The kids really do benefit from it,” which in turn gives her confidence that she is helping someone who needs a friend.
Bigs, said Solem, “are just ordinary people — that are extraordinary!” who first must undergo a careful application, background check and screening process.
Robinson is a former Big Brother who said his goal for his “Little” was to “Keep him away from drugs and gangs…and he graduated from high school,” having avoided such pitfalls.
Big Brothers-Big Sisters has a variety of fundraisers including the upcoming March 12 Bowl For Kids’ Sake at Harley’s Camarillo Bowl.
For more information on BB-BSVC volunteer opportunities, fundraisers or how to donate, call 805-484-2282 or visit www.bbsvc.org
