FREE ESSAY ON BIG BROTHER'S OF GREATER INDIANAPOLIS

BIG BROTHER'S OF GREATER INDIANAPOLIS

Amanda 
English 111
12 December 1999
Big Brothers of Greater Indianapolis
American families were once thought of something that might resemble a 1950's sitcom.
Marriages meant forever and children never knew the realities
of life outside of little league and sandlot football. Yet, over time, this idea has
become distorted, showing that the "Brady Bunch" scenario is really far fetched in
itself. Families today do not fit the ideal mold of a structured family with 2.5 kids and
a dog. Families today are more realistic, facing the realities of life,meaning divorce,
death, desertion, and even mental and physical problems.
Big Brothers of Greater Indianapolis represents one of over five such organizations whose
sole purpose is to provide idealistic role models to single-parent families. By making
life better for children, youth, and families, the Big Brother program is striving to
prevent serious behavioral and personality problems that often inhibit a structured
childhood (BBGI Annual
Report, 1997). While these relationships are based on the idea of understanding and
friendship, it also becomes important to evaluate whether such an organization provides
the youth questioned with a more complete life.
To many, the statistics speak for themselves. Joe VeneKlause (Personal Interview, 1999) a
caseworker for the Big Brothers of Greater Indianapolis points out that the presence of a
caring and supportive adult mentor does make a difference. "With solid research and
planning, Big Brothers of Greater Indianapolis is planning and discovering new and
expanded ways
of meeting the needs of Big Brother youth (VeneKlause, 1999)." In 1995 research about the
organization was conducted by Public/Private Ventures. The purpose of this research was
to determine whether such programs helped kids in the aspects of saying no to alcohol,
drugs, as well as being more confident in their schoolwork and performance. Research
continues today and into the future with the "Strategic Plan 1998-2003." The idea is to
broaden awareness of Big Brothers of Greater Indianapolis and its success to get more
people involved (Venick, 1997)."The agency's mission from the beginning has been to make
life better for all single parent children bases on their
continued accessed need. We will continue to incorporate solid planning and research
until every need is met (Venick, 1997)." 
While research proves the overall effectiveness of the organization, the criteria for
choosing the Big Brothers must also be considered. Role models are
a good thing for anyone to have, yet they must represent "good role models." Screening
process for the Big Brothers of Greater Indianapolis includes
background checks, three well-reputable references, and an interview with an experienced
social worker, as well as a copy of your driving record. The
information provided is intended to find candidates that will provide excellent role
models. "Each of the Big Brothers goes through a screening process,
not only for safeguarding reasons, but so that the organization can establish if their
character meets the standards of what we are looking for (VeneKlause, 1999)." Through
such criteria, it is possible to judge the character of a person, and ultimately whether
they would serve as a good mentor and role model. These reputable young men who are
chosen will in turn, serve as role models, not only for their little brothers, but for
the community as well (Kessler, 1999). 
The Big Brothers of Greater Indianapolis is an organization founded on the idea of
helping others. Through evaluating its strengths, it is easy to see
that very few weaknesses can be found. Through the interview with Joe VeneKlause, as well
as further researching and exploring the daily process of
the organization, it is obvious that the dedication and relentless efforts of each member
is never less than one hundred percent. Just like a team, an
organization such as this, is only as strong as its weakest member. These weaknesses
occur only because the need exceeds the supply. There are
currently four hundred and fifty children in the Indianapolis area alone that are on a
waiting list to receive a Big Brother (Kessler, 1999). While the
organization is doing everything that it can, they are still in need of help and
more Big Brothers. The process takes time, but the organization hopes that awareness, as
well as the satisfaction of knowing you have made a difference in
a little boy's life will ultimately prevail. "The community has been really supportive of
our efforts in the past and we hope that this trend will continue to grow in the future,
because there is more of a need now (for Big Brothers) than there ever has been
(VeneKlause, 1999)." Big Brothers have to deal with a variety of problems that can
sometimes
be emotionally and physically straining. The children come from a wide range of
backgrounds, including ones that often pertain to drugs, alcoholism, and a variety of
abusive situations (BBGI Annual Report, 1998). The organization becomes an ideal and
logical answer to the world's children. By simply taking four days out of the month to be
a Big Brother to one of these kids, it is giving them a chance in a world where there are
very few for these kids. Children who have never had a structured influence in their
lives finally have someone to look up to. Debbie Knot, a board member, and parent of a
child who was a little brothers sums it up best:
"Most of us will never do really "great" things, but we can all do "great" things in
small ways!"
Bibliography
Works Cited
Big Brothers of Greater Indianapolis (BBGI) Annual Report (1997) Building Friendships,
Building Lives. Indianapolis, IN: 1-15
Kessler, L. (1999). Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America [On-Line] Available Site:
www.bbsorg.com
VeneKlause, Joe (personal communication, September 30, 1999) endorses this view of the
paper.
Vernick, Victor, E. (1997) From the Board of Director's Desk [On-line]Available Site:
www.BBGI.com/DD