November 2005
Guiding Kids' Lives,Starting in Cincinnati
 Big Brothers Big Sisters has local roots

By Mackenzie McAninch
Queen City Forum Magazine staff

The United Way. The Salvation Army. Big Brothers Big Sisters. These are a few examples of respectable organizations that are common enough that most people are aware of them, even if they are not members. However, most local Cincinnati-area residents probably aren’t aware that Big Brothers Big Sisters has roots dating back over 100 years ago right here in Cincinnati.

In 1903, local businessman Irvin Westheimer created the concept of mentoring young boys voluntarily after an encounter with a poor young man whose father had passed away. Westheimer did not know that similar pursuits were already sprouting up in the United States.

One year earlier in New York, the Ladies of Charity had begun a similar idea by appointing counselors to children who entered the newly created New York Children's Court. From there, NYCC’s court clerk, Ernest Coulter, founded the Big Brothers movement in 1904 by obtaining 39 volunteers who each agreed to befriend one boy. In 1905, Mrs. John O’Keefe set up the Big Sister Program in New York City.

QCF Magazine November 2005

 

In 1910, Westheimer, along with other concerned community members, founded the Big Brother Association of Cincinnati. From there, many different groups emerged with basically the same agenda and took off like a wildfire over the years. Though it was briefly halted due to the Great Depression, these concepts of lending open hands to the youth grew tremendously with thousands of people taking action. Already chartered by Congress, Big Sisters International and Big Brothers Association merged into Big Brothers Big Sisters of America in 1977. Today Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than 225,000 children, ages 5 through 18 in 5,000 communities across all 50 states.

Since there are so many chapters, branches and organizations sharing the Big Brothers Big Sisters name, each chapter’s goals and locations can be confusing. The Greater Cincinnati area has four chapters alone: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler, Clinton and Warren counties, and the original chapter started in 1910 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati . Though each sticks to the original roots of lending a hand to Jewish children, each chapter makes it clear that they serve people of all races and religions.

It’s not a requirement for children to grow up with both parents to be successful in today’s world. In the founding years of America, a youth who grew up in a family with a low income could still end up achieving their goals and dreams. But having an adult around for guidance is still helpful today, and studies have shown measurable, positive results on youth who have a big brother or sister from this program.

A single or poor parent may not always have the resources and time available to take their child to a movie, sporting event or even out to the park for a walk. This is where the program steps in, as the Greater Cincinnati chapter’s goal is “to promote the development of responsible, productive and self-fulfilled children.”

Today there are even options for adults who might not have the time to fulfill the commitment levels of having a “little” brother or sister. Group mentors assist kids who are on the waiting list and school-based mentors help a child with their school work for at least one hour a week during the school year. A person can serve with their spouse as “Couples' Bigs.” Monetary donations keep the organizations running, and charity drives such as the annual Bowl For Kid's Sake Bowl-a-thon are fun ways to raise money as well.

If a person is considering becoming a “Big,” there is no fee involved in doing so. Time is required, however, and Jeff Gushin of the Greater Cincinnati chapter says that a “Big” must be able to commit to a minimum of one year when the match is made. Then they should be available at least two to three times a month to spend some quality time with the child. For the evaluation period, that person can typically expect three to five weeks to complete interviews, home studies and background checks.

With recent natural disasters, many people are looking for ways to help others in need. Volunteering with a Big Brothers Big Sisters program is charity work that is often overlooked in our communities, especially by young adults. A myth is that a Big is usually an older adult who is presumably wealthy, but Bigs are adults of any age, according to Gushin. “Many of our Bigs are young adult professionals who may be single or married without children.”

Trying to convince a child to become a Little might be difficult. But guidance on how to approach children on this subject is available form volunteers of these organizations. I was once a Little when I was a child, and I have to admit that I hated the idea when it was brought to me. For a long time, I told my friends that I was going to hang out with my uncle, even though I was secretly enjoying each visit with my Big Brother. As time grew on, I witnessed the positive results of the program first hand. This is why I chose to write this article – to give back to the community and the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

Being a Big is something anyone can do. The only requirements are a willingness to be a friend, to have fun and to see the world (and yourself) through the eyes of a young person.

 

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