Big Brothers, Big Sisters Innovate With New Programs
by Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's been nearly a year since the local Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization expanded to include South Jersey. There are several new programs, and one has gone national.
"We decided two years ago that we wanted to get involved in some of these bigger conversations," says Marcus Allen, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region.
He says 70% of the "Littles" his organization serves are African-American, yet they have a hard time recruiting diverse "bigs." He says three-quarters of the Bigs and 70% of the staff were non-African Americans, so he and the board were forced to have uncomfortable conversations, given the social issues bubbling to the surface.
"If it was going to be uncomfortable for us to have that conversation, how uncomfortable would it be for a little to have that conversation with their big," says Allen, referring to discussion of stop-and-frisk and police interactions.
Fast forward, Allen has made efforts to partner to bring in more diverse Bigs. They also brainstormed efforts to roll in work programs that deal with LGBT, poverty, and police brutality.
One such initiative is "Bigs in Blue," which launches in January. The program will pair a caring and compassionate police officer Big with a Little from and at-risk community or school.
"Understanding that this is not going to solve all problems-- but we had to get involved and do something," he says, "we know that relationships solve issues."
The national Big Brothers Big Sisters launched the effort by putting out a call to raise a million dollars. The money rolled in, so he increased the goal to $5 million, and says the program will go to cities across America.
For more on this effort go to independencebigs.org.
