Organization pairs youth with ‘older siblings’ Published Sept. 4, 2007 By Sheila Rupp Nucleus Staff KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- Children can never have too many strong role models and Big Brothers Big Sisters is another one of the many programs that helps to make sure the youth of today have positive influences in their lives. Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. The mission of the organization is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth. By participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters and having a "big sibling" to look up to, "little siblings" are 52 percent less likely to skip school, 46 percent less likely to begin using illegal drugs and more likely to get along with their families and peers. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico has several ways for members of the Kirtland AFB community to become involved with local youths. A site-based program allows "bigs" to meet with their "littles" once a week at schools around the city. Sandia Base Elementary, Emerson Elementary, Grant Middle School and Wilson Middle School are all schools that are centrally located to the base so it is convenient for members of Team Kirtland to volunteer easily. If a site-based program volunteer should go TDY or deploy, they are asked to keep the relationship active by keeping in contact with their "little" through the agency. A site-based program volunteer could keep the relationship active during short-term deployments as these types of matches can only meet at the school and communicate through the agency. The other program available for Team Kirtland to participate in is the community-based program. Community-based volunteers have more leeway, which makes this type of program ideal for those that travel frequently or have long deployments. Community-based volunteers can keep in contact with their "little" without the agency. During deployments or extended TDY less than several months, "bigs" are asked to keep in contact with their "little" via e-mail, phone or mail. To volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters call 837-9223, or for more information visit www.bbbs-cnm.org.