On the Right Page So Far

When Brent Simpson, 30, left the Navy in 2005 to become a Charlotte, NC police officer, he decided to take on another challenge as well. “I was interested in being involved in a volunteer program. I had some knowledge of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and wanted to give it a shot.” Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte, which provides the opportunity for young people to experience a big brother or big sister, matched Brent with then 11-year-old Swade Patterson. 

BBBS Swade and FamilySwade lives with his mother, Annette, and 7-year-old brother Chance (shown in photo at left). “When Swade was 11, I got sick. I ended up losing my job, and went on welfare,” says Annette. “Swade was taking care of me, and his younger brother. He was washing the clothes, cooking, babysitting; I wanted to take back the role of being the parent. I wanted him to get out and have fun, doing the things kids do. His dad isn’t around, and since I had been working in the human services community, I knew that BBBS was available as a resource.”
    
About two weeks after Brent applied to be a Big Brother, he met his “Little” for the first time. “He came over my house. We met like that,” says Swade, now 14. “We just started seeing each other. I knew I was going to have fun. He seemed like a good person.” Annette adds, “Once he met Brent, he loved him; he thought he was so cool.”  
    
BBBS Brent Swade“I didn’t have any experience with kids,” remembers Brent. “I was definitely nervous and apprehensive. But Swade was eager to jump into it. He had a smile to light the room up. He made it easy.” The pair’s first activity together was go-cart riding.

“Getting to experience a big brother, getting out of the house, and having fun” are the best parts of the program for Swade (with Brent, at right). “We play video games; we go jogging, or swimming, or play basketball. When Brent moved, I helped him get his house straight. He helped me pass a real big test. We went out and studied, and I aced the test.  He’s really helpful. If I have a problem, we can talk about it.”
    
Swade’s mother is delighted. “I thought Brent was going to be there just to go to the movies once in a while, or to the park. I don’t know if Brent is typical, but Brent is the program. He’s always there, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If something comes up, I can count on him. He always says he’s going to be with Swade until we get him off to college.” 
     
Since its inception, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte is on track to have served and mentored more than 2,100 children by end of 2007. Big Brothers Big Sisters' national goal is 1,000,000 kids served by 2010. “I never had any children, or any younger brother,” says Brent, “but I try to relate as best I can. I grew up with a single mom; Annette’s a single mom. My parents divorced when I was a teen, and as a child, I wished I had a male figure to look up to.” He adds, “Big Brothers Big Sisters provides you with events that you can attend, clinics that you can go to, and you’ve got someone you can call personally, if you have any issues. They’re great.”

Annette agrees. “I would recommend them to others, 101 percent. The young lady I work with, Tawanda Mathis, is absolutely wonderful! She calls every month. Back at Christmas time, I could not afford Christmas presents, and Big Brothers Big Sisters got a family to sponsor Christmas for us.  That is an example of how much they care.”

BBBS Brent Swade having fun“I would love for more people to get involved by being a Big Brother or Big Sister,” says Brent. “I definitely encourage people to look into it. It’s a commitment and requires time, but I think it’s a great opportunity to help someone out. Being a Big Brother made me step out of my comfort zone to help someone, and made me grow into a better person. There’s nothing negative about it.”  Says Swade, “Having a Big Brother is just a great experience. I told all of my friends that it’s real fun, and they should try it out.  I think one of my friends is going to try to get one.”

“Swade’s literally like a little brother now. I care for him and hope the best for him,” says Brent. “When I take him back home, and he looks at me and let’s me know he had a great time, that touches me. Its not one big thing that stands out, but it’s something that’s there every time we hang out…. It’s a great feeling for me.” He adds, “I came in here not knowing how long the relationship would last, but once you get into it, it’s a relationship will last a lifetime. I hope ours is that way. I feel like we’re on the right page so far.”

To learn more about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister in Charlotte, NC, or about how you can help support this organization, visit http://www.bbbscharlotte.org/  For other regions, visit http://www.bbbs.org/


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-- Reported by I. van der Leeden

 
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