For more than 30 years in Albuquerque, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America has been providing mentors for young children, assistance for those in need and friends for children who want one.
Dependent on word-of-mouth for advertisement, Big Brothers, Big Sisters is a nonprofit organization that focuses on children six to 14 years old.
There are two divisions of the organization: the school-based mentoring program and the community-based program.
The school-based program focuses on children within the school requiring Big Brothers or Big Sisters - commonly referred to as "Bigs" - to be at least 16 years old. In the community-based program the volunteers must be at least twenty-one.
Kristin Dyehe, who is in charge of the community program and a Big Sister, said the biggest selling point for the program is that both the children and "Bigs" enjoy the time they spend together.
The biggest problem currently facing the organization is the lack of adult volunteers.
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There is a waiting list of children who want to have a Big Brother or Big Sister, but not enough people are signing up to become "Bigs."
Those interested in aiding the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Organization of Albuquerque can call 837-9223. Potential "Bigs" are interviewed for approximately 30 minutes and are subject to a background check.
