by Shaun Knittel - SGN Associate Editor

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound has launched an effort to recruit members of the LGBT communities in the Puget Sound region to become volunteer mentors and share their time and experiences with children and young people in the community.

'We also have a commitment to reaching out to LGBT families and LGBT children and youth to let them know caring adult mentors are available for any child who needs and wants one,' said BBBSPS officials in a statement released to the media last week.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound partners with actively involved community members to match caring adults with children, 'both of whom benefit from our one-to-one mentoring programs,' say officials.

Here's how it works: Bigs (adult volunteers) and Littles (children ages 7-17) meet a few times a month in school or elsewhere in the community to share fun activities and a little part of their lives.

'I have wanted to volunteer as a mentor for a long time but I wasn't sure how an organization, child, or family would handle my sexual orientation, let alone my gender identity,' Big Brother Chris said. 'When I was told that there was a Little who was questioning his gender identity, it seemed like a perfect fit.

'I can tell that my Little Brother Shawn feels himself around me and I know that he knows he can express his gender identity in whatever way feels most comfortable for him when we are together, as do I,' said Chris.

National research has shown that the positive relationships fostered by Big Brothers Big Sisters have a direct and measurable impact on children's lives. Little Brothers and Sisters are more confident in their school performance, better able to get along with their families, 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 27% less likely to begin using alcohol, and 52% less likely to skip school.

According to information provided to Seattle Gay News by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound, 'LGBT identities are not only accepted but seen as an asset to reflecting the full range of identities that BBBSPS is trying to represent in their Bigs and Littles.'

BBBSPS says it is committed to providing activities and opportunities for LGBT Bigs and Littles. In fact, the agency recently sponsored a Gay and Lesbian Film Festival movie, tabled at the Seattle AIDS Walk and Rainbow Families pumpkin-patch event, and talked with over a dozen LGBT organizations and groups in the area.

'Please consider volunteering to become a mentor,' said officials, adding, 'You can make a big difference in the life of a child by committing a few hours a month to just hang out with a young person.'

If you're interested in becoming a Big Brother or Sister, or if you know a young person who might benefit from the program, contact Jordan Lane at jordan.lane@bbbsps.org or Pamela Shields at pamela.shields@bbbsps.org. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound and the LGBT Initiative, visit the agency's website, www.bbbsps.org.

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