Nestling under the wing of friendship, guidance and experience advocates believe mentoring is necessary and can make a difference in a child’s life. Unfortunately, many solid and worthwhile mentoring organizations are experiencing a shortage and are appealing to the community to take on the challenge of counseling today’s youth.
The U.S. Dream Academy is a national organization that works with children who have had an incarcerated parent, a family history of incarceration or are at risk academically. The Indianapolis program is housed at John Marshall Community High School.
The program focuses on four components consisting of: dream building; character building; academics; and most importantly mentoring.
“We’re on the far Eastside, but we want our kids to know they’re not just their community. They can go far and beyond what they can imagine. It’s our job to teach them that,” said Jacquie Hughes, mentor coordinator for the Indianapolis program.
After school, mentors meet with seventh and eighth graders on-site and for one hour a week to participate in activities or just have some one on one time to talk.
The Indianapolis arm of the U.S. Dream Academy has been in progress for a year and Hughes states the program is doing well except for one important aspect — the need for more mentors.
“A lot of volunteers come and go through the process, but it’s getting someone to make the commitment,” said Hughes.
Mentoring programs like the U.S. Dream Academy is experiencing the same difficulty of finding mentors, particularly African-American male mentors.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBSCI) has longevity and name recognition on their side and continue to struggle finding Black male mentors. Their program is for 8 to 18 year olds and encourages lifelong partnerships between “Bigs” and “Littles.”
Once the mentor completes an application, various background checks, an interview and training, they are pared up with a child based on interest and upon request, race.
There’s been an increase in Black parents requesting Black Bigs to guide their sons, mostly single mothers. Due to the Black Big shortage, boys are left waiting until they are matched.
“We have a waiting list where boys or their mothers have requested an African-American man,” said Tonja Eagan, CEO of BBBSCI. “We ask for one hour a week or four hours a month. Most people spend more than an hour a week checking e-mail, so the time to mentor is there.”
Some speculate the cause of low Black male mentors stems from lack of motivation, tough economic times or the fact that there are more males that need help than are available to help.
Frank Davis, African-American Male Recruitment Task Force and Board Member for BBBSCI, truly believes as people we are called to help others and if one is able to make a difference, they should make a difference. With passion and dedication on his side, he and other males are assisting the program in their charge for more male mentors.
“Why would we as a community want to give up on our kids that easily? We’re not an answer to every problem, and no program is, but it doesn’t diminish those that we can help. Plus you never can underestimate the power of encouragement,” said Davis.
With the assistance of the Little’s parent, BBBSCI has blazed its own trail with giving the Bigs and Littles the freedom to cultivate the type of relationship that’s best for the child. BBBSCI emulates the “It takes a village” model.
They continue to ask for mentors of all races and genders but want so badly to give the same support for Black boys as what’s given for boys and girls of the same and other races. BBBSCI is calling for the community to look ahead.
“It doesn’t take a lot of time or money; it just makes a big difference. You’re investing in the future and not getting caught up in the issues of today and the challenges of tomorrow. You’re looking ahead for this child’s sake,” said Eagan.
For more information, call (317) 921-2201 or visit www.bbbsci.org; 1-800-USDREAM or www.usdreamacademy.org.
