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Hixson resident Karen Chastain and Soddy-Daisy resident Briana Thacker are a Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga pair in the Hixson area. The organization is currently seeking more female little sisters to match with willing big sisters. Photo by Rebecca W. Miller
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga needs more little sisters in the Hixson area to match with residents willing to volunteer their time as “Bigs.”
“In Hixson we have quite a few female Bigs who have been waiting to be matched with a Little,” said Tina Franklin, case manager for BBBS.
She said gender, location, interests and various factors must be matched carefully before a pair is put together.
“For the most part they say location doesn’t matter, but if they have to drive from Hixson to East Ridge they won’t visit as often,” Franklin said. “We try to do whatever makes the match easiest on them.”
She said the organization’s purpose is giving children in single-parent homes another person to go to with problems and for support. Currently there are about 160 children awaiting matches with Bigs in the Chattanooga area.
“Kids really need more than one role model,” said Franklin. “It’s not spending money. It’s spending time and making the commitment.”
Hixson resident Karen Chastain has been matched with her BBBS Little, Soddy-Daisy resident Briana Thacker, for six months. Chastain said BBBS made a perfect match between herself and the Allen Elementary rising fourth-grader.
Statistics for Littles who meet with their Bigs regularly for about one year:
46 percent less likely than peers to start using illegal drugs.
33 percent less likely to engage in violent behavior.
52 percent less like to skip a day of school.
Generally more trusting of their parent or guardian and less likely to lie to them.
Research by Peter Frecknall, a former New York University professor:
84 percent of adolescents do better in school within a year after they join the program.
83 percent keep out of trouble.
90 percent improve relationships with their friends.
96 percent show higher self-esteem.
“I wanted to do something for someone personally,” Chastain said. “You can write a check or put together a box of donated clothes, but then you can’t see the change you make in somebody’s life. I just felt this was the best way to make a difference.”
Each BBBS pair is required to spend six to eight hours together per month. Chastain said she and Briana roam the mall, feed horses and participate in various BBBS monthly activities.
Briana said she prefers math in school to reading, but is being encouraged by Chastain to discover the benefits in reading. Briana needs little encouragement in other activities with her Big.
“I like cooking,” Briana said. “We’ve made pizza and apple crisp. We made everything from scratch.”
Chastain said that the fact Briana lives only 11 minutes away makes it easier to schedule their time together. She said when she first applied to BBBS, she realized the hours spent with her Little don’t always have to be on weekends. Chastain and Briana can meet for an afternoon in the library or spend a summer weekday swimming.
“Being a Big gives another face to a wonderful child like Briana and exposes her to new things and perspectives,” Chastain said. “She knows that she has someone she can always ask questions or call and share her triumphs with.”
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