PLATFORM : Filling the Void

I’ve been with Catholic Big Brothers for close to four years. I saw it as an opportunity to fill a void in the lives of youths who don’t have the kind of opportunities to do some of the things I did when I was growing up. There’s a definite need for positive role models.

I would like to see all the black youths on the waiting list matched (with a Big Brother) within a 12-month period. Los Angeles has enough potential candidates out there to fill this gap. The biggest problem is that people are tied up in their own little world. This is true, because I get distracted, too.

By participating, I’ve moved away from the urge to be selfish, and I know a kid can be given a sense of responsibility about other people, too.

We have to focus and help one person at a time to make a difference. If you’re helping a few, you can give 100% effort. If you spread yourself too thin and try to do too much, you give a 10% effort here and 15% effort there, and the job won’t get done.