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A Community of Mentors
Local Big Brother stays young by going to school
by Albert Leung
Tom Grezek may be 65 years old, but he is still young at heart with his abundance
of knowledge in Pokemon, Harry Potter and Star Wars. Throughout the past nine years,
serving as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities (BBBS),
Grezek has spent countless hours talking, playing and reading with six Little Brothers.
He has not only learned a plethora of information about youth culture, but has also
collected a stash of joyful memories from giving back to children in his community.
Grezek recently finished his first year mentoring his sixth Little Brother, Hunter,
at Lake Elmo Elementary through the Big Brothers Big Sisters school-based mentoring
program. In Washington County's five BBBS school-based sites, Big Brothers or Sisters
meet their Little Brothers or Sisters at their school for an hour a week for a minimum
of one year.
On June 7, BBBS expanded its school-based program in Washington County by launching
a new site at Crosswinds Middle School in Woodbury. The program at this East Metro
arts and science middle school takes place in one of very few year-round schools
in Minnesota. The goal of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to identify more than 20 volunteers
to serve local sixth to eight grade children. Currently, 40 children are matched
with a caring and committed Big Brother or Sister in Washington County
"Kids are always willing to talk, but they need an adult to listen to them and
appease their concerns," Grezek says. "I just listen to the child and talk
about what he wants to talk about."
Grezek effectively allocates the one hour he spends with Hunter. He forms an agreement
with all his Little Brothers as to how the two will spend their time together so
both are satisfied.
"I usually spend half the time doing what they want to do and the second half
of the time is spent doing what I want to do," he says. "Usually I choose
academics."
Grezek describes his Little Brother Hunter as a "very out-going, bright and
active child." He continues to look for creative ways to manage the young 6-year-old's
seemingly endless zeal. For instance, when he asks Hunter to choose a book for them
to read, Hunter scrambles around the school's library, nabbing about a dozen books
about snakes, lizards, cars, trucks or army vehicles. Grezek draws from his experience
in raising three children and caring for five grandchildren to help him interact
and communicate with Hunter.
"I just tell him that I need his eye contact so I know we are communicating,
and he is always responsive," says Grezek.
Grezek understands the importance of a strong consistent adult figure in a child's
life. He was raised by a single mother and had positive male role models to take
him hunting and fishing.
Serving as a Big Brother for nine years, Grezek has learned how much of a difference
mentors can make to a child. He has learned that children show strong improvement
in interacting; socializing with their peers and adults changes positively. He also
finds that the child's study habits improve.
It has been proven that one-on-one mentoring improves a child's chances for success
in school. In a spring 2004 program evaluation conducted by BBBS, teachers and volunteers
reported that children with a Big Brother or Big Sister raised their confidence level,
developed a more positive attitude toward school and improved their ability to express
their feelings during the course of the school year.
Grezek is grateful that the children he mentors appreciate the time he spends with
them. He has sustained contact with most of his former Little Brothers through breakfast
meetings, phone calls or just cards in the mail.
Hunter and Grezek have formed a relaxed relationship during this past school year.
Hunter feels they are comfortable in communicating with each other. If Grezek is
only a minute late, Hunter will always comment about it. However, this reassures
Grezek that Hunter is enjoying the time they spend together and looks forward to
it.
Grezek believes the relationship between the two is as beneficial for him as much
as it is for Hunter. Not only does it keep him in touch with his own inner-child,
but also he can also connect with and help the children in his community.
"I believe that everyone should contribute in their lives to another life,"
Grezek says. "Big Brothers Big Sisters gives me the opportunity to give back
to the community, because I have been so fortunate in my own life."
Grezek may believe that the children view him more as a grandfather than a Big Brother.
He is much more than that: a mentor, a source of knowledge, a role model, a hero
and, most importantly, a friend.
Big Brothers Big Sisters in need of volunteers at a year-round school site. To learn
more about being a School-based Big Brother or Big Sister in Washington County or
to volunteer at Crosswinds Middle School, call (651) 789-BIGS or visit www.bigstwincities.org
to apply online.
BBBS mission is to enrich young people's lives through one-to-one relationships.
In 2004, the organization served more than 3,700 children with the help of more than
3,200 volunteers in its 11-county service area.
Copyright © 2005 Albert Leung. All rights reserved. |
| July 2005 |
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