CarlaGEE.me

- My article published in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas newsletter

He’s a typical teen. Grinning from ear to ear, he talks of his athletic skills and wants to play both basketball and football in college. Avoiding the summer heat he watches TV or plays computer games. Whether laying out a quick rap with his brother or writing a solo piece, he loves creating music. His original compositions reveal, however, that the last two years of his life have been rather atypical when compared to other teens.

“Rapping about my experience being locked-up and what I have to go through helps,” shares 17 year old Shaquille H. “Music keeps me breathing.”

In 2008, Shaquille was one of more than 1500 juvenile offenders committed annually to the Texas Youth Commission (TYC). Shaquille chooses not to focus on what he did to get sent to the TYC. Instead, he’s concentrating his efforts on getting the support and help he needs to stay out of trouble.

“These youth are at high-risk for recidivism once they return to the environments that helped create the problems that sent them to us to begin with,” explains Roberto Ruiz, community relations coordinator with TYC. “Breaking that cycle is critical to their success and that means helping them to find new influences and activities to deter them from returning to old habits.”

TYC has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas (BBBS) to offer youth like Shaquille the opportunity to help himself. By volunteering to participate in the ‘Second Chance Juvenile Mentoring Initiative’, Shaquille was matched with Big Brother Chester Swanson. Swanson is a busy Texas A&M –Kingsville business management major who juggles playing defensive tackle for the fighting Javelinas, working as a resident advisor and volunteering through the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

“I grew-up in a not-so-good neighborhood and have known people that got caught up in trouble,” says Swanson. “I didn’t see volunteering to be a Big Brother as a big deal and thought I could be someone’s friend.”

Chester and Shaquille are finding common ground through time spent working out at the gym or playing basketball. Casual banter about sports and music has also opened some conversation about personal goals like whether or not pursuing a diploma would be more beneficial for future plans than obtaining a GED.

Recruiting for ‘Second Chance’ peer mentors is a critical focus for the BBBS organization. The program seeks 18-25 year olds willing to offer mentees their companionship. The foundation of the BBBS peer mentoring model is that the older ‘Big’ provides guidance to the younger ‘Little’ within the context of friendship.

“The ‘Big’ is not there to serve as a disciplinarian or authority figure in the youth’s life,” explains Gabe Rodriguez, residential care liaison for BBBS. “The only requirement expected of the ‘Little’ is that he or she spend time each month with his or her ‘Big’.”

Each match meets an average of 2-4 times per month for an average of 1-5 hours per meeting. Volunteers are asked to make a one year commitment.

“Giving a youth positive time and attention can make a big change in his or her life,” adds Ruiz. “Someone like Chester, willing to be a friend, can really help turn things around for a kid.”

The ‘Second Chance Juvenile Mentoring Initiative’, funded by the United States Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is designed to help develop, implement and expand mentoring programs that support youth like Shaquille to transition from incarceration back into the community. Over $4.7 million of funding was awarded to 11 programs in 10 states across the country. Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas, the only Texas program to receive funding, was awarded $625,000 over the next three years to recruit, screen, monitor and support volunteers like Swanson who provide peer-to-peer mentoring.

If you or someone you know would like information on how to become a Second Chance big brother or sister, please contact us at (361) 888-8500.

AT A GLANCE:

Current BBBS Second Chance youth waiting to be matched with a Big:

· 1 from Nueces (male)
· 5 from Cameron County (4 males, 1 female)
· 3 from Webb County (all males)
· 2 from Guadalupe County (all males)

The 100 Day Blogging Challenge suggested by Luis Sandoval has begun and while I agreed to give it a go, I’m not sure how long I’ll last.

DAY 1: Read the newspaper and write about the front page news.

Ugh! I open the New York Times’ homepage to peruse headlines for inspiration and information. There are so many topics I wouldn’t dare try to write about: another suicide bombing in Pakistan killing civilians, charges dropped against Blackwater angering Iraqis, continuing tensions in Iran over the disputed presidential election.

To form my own opinion about these and other world events, would require that I spend far greater time studying in order to understand from a level at which an opinion could be formed. It’s not that I don’t care rather I can’t. The issues can’t hold my attention long enough not for lack of caring but for lack of time, money and energy. I’m not skilled enough to passionately take a stand on worldly issues AND raise two boys, run a household and pay the bills. It doesn’t feel good. I’m not proud of it. But it’s my truth.

So I skip the top headlines and seek an article I can more easily embrace. Ah! A music review of the Metropolitan Opera’s production of ‘Carmen‘. It sounds like they hit a homerun with the talent, set and choreography. I only wish I could get there to see it were it not for the lack of time, money and energy.