News Release

Let's Make History: Big Brothers Big Sisters Announces Recruity Goal of 100 African-American "Real Men" in 100 Days

Recruiting Event Set for February 24th

HOUSTON, TX (February 19, 2007) Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston (BBBS) has begun a campaign to recruit 100 African-American men in 100 days, due to the clear need for more African- American male volunteers. The campaign is part of the agency’s "Real Men Mentor" initiative, a push to find men in the Houston area to step up and volunteer to mentor the next generation of men. The campaign began February 1st, with a recruitment event set for Saturday, February 24th.

BBBS is a program provided at no cost that matches local children ages 6 to 15 with volunteer male and female mentors, in order to help those children reach their potential. Of the boys (Little Brothers) currently enrolled in the program, 50% are African American. Conversely, of the men currently enrolled as mentors (Big Brothers), only 31% are African American. While BBBS does match boys with women (Big Sisters), as well as men of other races, many African-American women raising these boys prefer them to be matched with African-American men.

"Many African-American mothers insist on an African-American male mentor, and because we don’t have them readily available, their kids continue to wait," said Fayetta Bland-Ellis, BBBS Community-Based Program Director and organizer of the "100 Days" campaign. "The mothers may pass up other mentors waiting for a black man and ultimately the kids are suffering. There is a great need and valuable impact that a positive black male can make on a black male child’s life. Our community must stand up and become our brother’s keeper."

There are other numbers that show why it is crucial for more African-American men to come forward and volunteer:

•325 boys are on BBBS’ waiting list;
• 186 are African-American.
• Only 25 men are waiting to be matched;
• of those, only 8 are black.

Many African-American boys are successfully matched with white men and women, but Bland-Ellis says that for many single African-American parents, the issue is cultural.

"I think they feel that it takes a man to develop a man, and they feel a black man can relate to what their son is going through," she said. "They’re waiting for that cultural connection, that mirror image. When their son looks at that African-American Big Brother, they see and image of themselves."

Using Black History Month as a starting point, BBBS hopes to make history of its own by finding more black men than ever before. In order to do that, it is trying to increase its presence in the African-American community. To that end, BBBS is taking part in a mentor recruiting initiative scheduled for Saturday, February 24th entitled, "Men Making Changes 2007: Coaching Boys to Success." The event is sponsored by the U.S. Dream Academy and Families Under Urban and Social Attack, Inc. (FUUSA) goal is to introduce African-American men to the concept of mentoring, and the important role it plays in changing the lives of local children. The day will consist of breakout sessions for men explaining the benefits of mentoring and leadership in the community.

WHAT: Men Making Changes 2007: Coaching Boys to Success
WHERE: Third Ward Multi-Service Center, 3611 Ennis St., Houston, Texas
WHEN: Saturday, February 24, 2007 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

To set up interviews with Fayetta Bland-Ellis, as well as African-American men who have already decided to make a difference in a child’s life, contact Rob Walter, Marketing and Communications Director at rwalter@bbbshouston.org, or (713) 860-8216.

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About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston creates successful one-to-one mentoring relationships for all local children and teenagers who need and want them resulting in better schools, brighter futures, and stronger communities for all. Our mentoring relationships have a measurable impact on children. A national study found that children in the BBBS program are less likely to skip school, less likely to try drugs and alcohol, less likely to use violence to solve problems, and are more likely to get along with their families. For more information about how Big Brothers Big Sisters is changing what it means to grow up in our community, head to our website, www.bbbshouston.org.

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