Sacramento State students are reaching out to people of all ages and becoming role models for youth through the non-profit organization, Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

The mission of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program is to pair adults with children, particularly from single parent homes. Some parents prefer their children’s Big Brother or Big Sister to be in their twenties.

“A lot of parents and kids think that adults that have the energy to spend with kids will be younger,” said John Dedo, Director of Marketing and Special Events for BBBS.

People have to be careful about time. Students going to college can join the program if they plan ahead, Dedo said.

“If they schedule themselves properly, they’ll have the time to spend with kids,” he said.

Gary Link, 29, a history major at Sac State said it’s important to be consistent in spending time with his little brother.

“He doesn’t need any letdowns in his life. When I book a time or day with him, that’s his day,” Link said.

Link takes his little brother to do things that interest them both. A nature center outing was the first occasion Link spent any money during the month they had been matched.

“He could care less if you spend money on him. You’re not Santa Claus. You’re here to be a mentor,” Link said. “I had a lot of people that helped me along when I was a kid without a father.”

Link’s advice to those who want to try the program is simple: “Don’t be afraid of it. I was afraid before I did it. But when you see that kid smile at you, that just does it for you. It’s all the payment you need.”

One of the Big Sisters in the program, Hilary Golden, 23, is a senior attending Sac State double majoring in economics and government. She and her little sister have just passed the six-month mark in their commitment. Golden says she joined because she feels she was fortunate growing up.

“Both my parents were very supportive. I wanted to give back and be a role model. I wanted to help out in some way and I thought this would be the right way,” Golden said.

She said that she feels it is important for college students her age to join Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

“I know that kids deal with a lot growing up, and it’s important for them to have someone to look up to, to spend time with and ask questions of. With all this crazy stuff going on, they may not know which direction to take. I’m able to show her what college is about, and it’s a really good thing,” Golden said.

It’s not just serious Golden said, “It’s a lot of fun for me. I enjoy being around her. She reminds me to have fun and I learn a lot from her.”

Golden continued by saying this kind of volunteering works with a college schedule. “It’s flexible, you can work out your own hours on your own time.”

BBBS offers a wide range of programs designed to fit the volunteers and the children. They offer a Jump-Start program where a Big Brother or Sister spends one to three hours a week with a child, and commits for three months, all the way to the Traditional Program, which is a year-long commitment, spending four to six hours a week together.

Wesley Winkelman, a 20-year-old computer science student at Sac State, is participating in the Jump-Start program. He feels that being younger allows him to connect more with his little brother.

“I’m definitely one of the younger people trying to take this on, but kids this age seem to open up more to someone younger. It’s a gateway to get them to open up,” Winkelman said.

Another Sac State student participating in the program, 24-year-old Craig Fechter, recently met his little brother for the first time. Fechter joined the program so he could give something back to the community. He said his father spent a lot of time with him during his childhood.

“He was always there to go to my games, always there to support me in my big decisions. I appreciate him more now than when I was a kid,” Fechter said.

Fechter wants his little brother to feel comfortable with him.

“I want him to have someone to talk to, have someone to help him make the right decisions when he’s older, I want him to consider me his friend,” Fechter said.

Careful screening and criminal background checks are done on all potential volunteers.

“Be patient with getting approved, it takes a while. But go for it,” Fechter said. BBBS has been matching thousands of “Bigs” and “Littles” in Sacramento, Yolo and Placer counties for over 36 years. At this point, BBBS has 88 kids who are unmatched. There are 65 boys and 23 girls. Dedo says this is due to a few reasons.

“We’re always looking for more men. Fewer girls are brought into the program. More women are willing to step up to the plate. So there are a lot more boys to be matched,” Dedo said.

To volunteer to be a Big Brother or Big Sister, call 428-9300.