A call to action: Men, volunteer at Big Brothers Big Sisters

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One of the biggest issues in New Bedford and other cities across Massachusetts and the country is youth crime. Earlier this month a 13-year old was stabbed by another young boy on Cottage Street in New Bedford.

It’s hard to imagine young teenage boys committing violent crime but it happens often in cities where our youth, particularly boys, do not have strong role models in their life. For a host of valid reasons, it’s hard to raise a single child – especially as a single mom. I know, my brother and I were raised by a single mom in some of the roughest neighborhoods in New Bedford.

The statistics are clear; when there isn’t a male role model in the house, boys are more prone to join gangs, do drugs and get kicked out of school.

The Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency reports that the most reliable indicator of violent crime in a community is the proportion of fatherless families. Fathers typically offer economic stability, a role model for boys, greater household security, and reduced stress for mothers. This is especially true for families with adolescent boys, the most crime-prone cohort. Children from single-parent families are more prone than children from two-parent families to use drugs, be gang members, be expelled from school, be committed to reform institutions, and become juvenile murderers.

This morning, a mom posted in the New Bedford group on Facebook a request to mentor her son because the Big Brothers Big Sisters had a long waiting list:

Looking to see if there is a male on here or if you know someone that would want to mentor my 8-year-old son. He is having trouble in school. Signed him up for the Big Brother Big Sister program but there is a long wait list. Just someone that would want to do something with him a day or 2 a week. He likes Pokemon, a.c. cars and dirt bikes and riding his bike.

Also, a female that would be a mentor to a 5-year-old girl that loves anything girlie. Painting her nails, brushing her hair, playing with dolls, and dressing up. You can send me a message if you have any questions.

A few years ago, I talked the Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Bedford and they told me there were 80 boys on a waiting list for a mentor. They told me there were only a few girls on a waiting list. It sounds like the demand for a volunteer to mentor a boy is just as strong today.

As a society, we all have an opportunity to positively impact our city and country by simply spending time with a young boy or man. We can complain about crime on social media, or we can step up and be part of the solutions.

In 2017, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay absorbed the New Bedford Big Brothers Big Sisters of Child & Family Services Program. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay seems to be the organization to work within Fall River and other south coast Massachusetts cities and towns.

To volunteer visit their site at https://www.bbbsmb.org/volunteer/. Follow them on Facebook here.

Refer a child here.

Don’t have time? You can donate here.

About Michael Silvia

Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Owner of New Bedford Guide.

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