Making A Difference in Your Community : Young Boys Looking for Big Brothers

For many boys growing up in single-parent homes, a Big Brother can mean the difference between feeling lost and knowing that someone cares.

Nearly 200 boys, ages 7 through 14, are on a waiting list to be matched with a Big Brother through Catholic Big Brothers.

The organization is looking for men throughout Los Angeles County, and particularly in the San Fernando Valley, to spend three to five hours a week with a boy who has asked for a Big Brother. Often, the Big Brother gets as much from the pairing as the youngster, said Karen-Alicia Robertson, director of public relations for Catholic Big Brothers.

“I think the Big Brothers get a sense in the beginning that they’re doing something for the community. But as they build a relationship with their little brother, it becomes something they wouldn’t give up,” Roberston said.

Big Brothers make a commitment to spend time with their little brother for at least a year.

“That kind of commitment in a child’s life is really important. They don’t need someone to flake on them because they’ve had that happen,” said Robertson. “The little brothers get a sense that someone cares for them. Their relationship with authority figures really improves. They don’t feel the need to be antagonistic and they do better in school. They feel a sense that the future can be positive for them.”

Catholic Big Brothers, founded in 1926, also serves hearing impaired boys ages 6 through 18. Big Brothers in the Hearing Impaired Program, the largest of its kind in the nation, must be capable of meeting the needs of the hearing impaired community.

Catholic Big Brothers is a United Way agency affiliated with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America, with offices located in Pasadena, Van Nuys, Bellflower, West Los Angeles and the downtown area. Big Brothers do not have to be Catholic. For more information, call (213) 251-9800 (V/TDD).

*

The Family Service Agency of Burbank is looking for volunteers to help in its Senior Connections Program. Volunteers will receive training in the senior counseling program. The counselors offer individual and group counseling at the agency and will help with outreach to seniors at home and in nursing facilities. To volunteer, call (818) 845-7671.

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Burbank needs volunteers for the following:

The Friendly Companion Visitor Program needs volunteers to visit seniors once a week in retirement homes and convalescent hospitals.

The city of Burbank Conservation Desk needs volunteers to assist office staff, answering questions concerning energy efficiency and water conservation, scheduling appointments, distributing conservation materials, filing and answering telephones. Volunteers are asked to work four- or eight-hour shifts one day a week.

College View School in Glendale needs a typist to work two to three hours every other week.

TreePeople, an environmental organization, is looking for volunteers to help with office work, become park docents, work with children or speak about the organization.

For more about TreePeople or other opportunities, contact Renee Crawford at (818) 953-9503.

Up With People is looking for families to serve as hosts to members of its cast when the international student group tours the San Fernando Valley next week.

The group of 150 students range in age from 17 to 26 and hail from 22 countries. About 50 more families are needed to house the students, said Ana Kallstrom, host family coordinator.

Hosts would be responsible for transporting the students to local shuttle points from Sunday evening until the following Sunday, and would be asked to provide breakfast and dinner each day.

“It’s a very good experience for both the families and our students,” said Kallstrom. “It’s wonderful to take someone in from another state and another country and learn about their culture.”

For information about being a host to a performer from Sunday through May 29, call Kallstrom at (213) 359-6346 or (310) 614-7562.

Getting Involved is a weekly listing of volunteering opportunities. Please address prospective listings to Getting Involved, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth, 91311. Or fax them to (818) 772-3338.