BUFFALO, N.Y. — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier is asking men in the community to step up and volunteer. 120 boys in Western New York are waiting to be matched with a Big Brother right now.
Boys are having to wait much longer than girls for a match, so on Friday, 2 On Your Side visited Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier to find out more about this need in our community and how people can help.
"Families are enrolling their kids asking, you know, for some support and so we have boys on our wait list. Right now, we have about 120 males all together across Erie, Niagara, and the Southern Tier and about 80 to 90 percent of them are males of color," said Brittany Washington, Director of Programming for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier.
Director of Programming Brittany Washington says on average the boys have to wait 400 days to find a match, which is twice as long as the girls.
"To have someone who has that lived experience, and especially for males who need more guidance now, there's a lot that youth could really benefit from having a male in their life," said Brittany Washington.
That's where you come in.
From the time you're matched, it's a year-long commitment, but many mentorships last a lifetime. You meet once or twice a month with your Little. You have to be at least 18, but there is no age limit.
While there's a need for men to step up right now, Big Brothers Big Sisters needs volunteers from every demographic.
"As far as diversity goes, you name it, we need it. Definitely males, and males of color are definitely a big push right now because we have so many children waiting, but we need women, we need people who identify as LGBTQ, we need people of different abilities levels. You name it, if you've had some lived experience, you feel like you could give back to a child, we need you to be a part of our program," said Brittany Washington.
Washington says the experience is priceless for both the Bigs and the Littles.
"For our team, we know these kids. We've gotten a chance to get to know them, so to see someone who has been waiting for a long time, you know, find hope and excitement in the experience is wonderful. That's the best part about the job," said Brittany Washington.
If you'd like to help in other ways, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier is hosting its gala on November 16.
