Big Brothers Big Sisters challenges guys to be role models

Published 11:08 pm Saturday, July 18, 2009

EVERETT — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Snohomish County needs a few good men.

With more than 75 kids — mostly boys — looking for school-based mentors, the group has issued a sort of challenge.

They are pushing to attract 50 male mentors by the time school starts this fall in the Edmonds and Everett school districts.

The campaign opens Monday and runs through Sept. 7. It is called “50 Men in 50 Days.”

There’s also a need for Big Sisters, of course. But that’s not part of this campaign, said Pam Lavergne, who coordinates the group’s high school bigs.

“The men need to step up,” she said.

The school-based program requires volunteers to meet once a week for an hour during lunch or recess.

Representatives with Big Brothers Big Sisters will be recruiting men all summer, executive director April Wolfe said.

The organization will be at local events, businesses, restaurants and car dealerships looking for mentors, she said.

Finding men is important. In a normal year, about 70 percent of students looking for a mentor are boys, Wolfe said.

This year, boys make up 90 percent of the waiting list.

“The number one most difficult thing for us to do is to get men to become mentors,” Wolfe said. “The majority of our kids are missing that male in their life.”

Some studies have shown that kids with school-based mentors have better attendance, improved grades and a more positive attitude.

A male presence is important, Lavergne said.

“A lot of the little boys are just getting in trouble. To have somebody who is neutral, who is showing them attention, and who is listening to them? It’s just so important,” she said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Snohomish County conducts a one-hour interview, training and background checks on approved applicants.

Chris Fyall: 425-339-3447, cfyall@heraldnet.com.