Lending Kids A Helping Hand

Queens children desperately searching for a positive role model, but without a possible outlet to find one, now have a viable option. The Big Brothers/Big Sisters program has come to Jamaica, Queens, and the lives of many youngsters may never be the same again.
Partnered with the Queens Child Guidance Center, the BBBS is a one-on-one mentoring program that matches children in the borough with adult volunteers age 21 and over. Based in Manhattan for nearly a century, BBBS of New York expanded into the Bronx in 1997, and this November opened its first Queens branch at 89-56 162 St. in Jamaica. Officials of the organization, which caters to children ages 7 to 18, noticed that a good portion of the kids on their waiting list were from Queens, and felt the need to branch out, said Queens program coordinator Adrienne Renfroe.
Despite the nearly 100 Queens children on the waiting list, volunteer mentors have been few and far between. In fact, as of yet no matchups have been arranged in Queens. But, they are getting closer. "There are always more kids then mentors," said Renfroe. "I think people do want to help, but they just are not aware of the children’s needs."
Part of the problem stems from the rigorous screening process that each volunteer must go through. First, the potential mentor must attend an orientation meeting. After a formal application is submitted, along with three references, a nationwide criminal background check is performed, to make sure there’s not any type of child abuse or neglect in the volunteer’s history. And, as is BBBS policy, only same-sex matches are set up.
Through a phone conversation with a social worker, the volunteer gets the opportunity to learn details about the youngster and his or her family. At the same time, the child’s parent receives relevant information about the possible mentor.
If all goes well, and all parties are comfortable, the next step is a meeting between both parties in the company of a parent and social worker. Next, the program coordinator, Renfroe in the case of Queens, will interview the candidate at least one more time. The final step, and most important, according to the BBBS, is an arranged meeting between the two alone.
Once the mentor and child are matched up, they are free to set up meetings on their own or attend agency events such as bowling, roller skating, amusement parks, or camping excursions. Mentors will receive a stipend for expenses during the one-to-one activities. After each meeting, both adult and child join at the BBBS office for a consultation.
Volunteers are asked to give at least eight hours a month to their child, for a minimum of one year. Parents have been eager to get their children involved, said Renfroe. "We want these matches to last a lifetime," said the program coordinator. "We want these kids to have another friendship in their lives, and someone they can look up to."
To volunteer to be a mentor, contact Adrienne Renfroe in the Jamaica office at (718) 262-9600.