Lansing Civic Events
Greater Lansing Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Mixer
November 21, 2013
I always enjoy the Greater
Lansing Hispanic Chamber Mixers. You run
into a great, enthusiastic people who are trying to advance the economic
atmosphere in the region. This is an
inclusive organization; they are interested in helping and networking with
anyone of any ethnic background.
Tonight, I came along with my
friend, J.T. Sunden, who is a local singer, harmonica player and guitarist for
the local duo, Buzz and Buster. Buzz and
Buster are also selling art based on aerial photography, so it was natural to
invite J.T. here to meet some business people.
This event is being sponsored
by Aaron Fox from Century 21 – Looking Glass and there will be a program to
promote participation in Big Brothers Big Sisters for the Michigan Capital
Region.
The event started with
everyone having a chance to mingle and enjoy the refreshments provided by our
sponsor and the Crowne Plaza Hotel. It
was a nice spread and a really congenial atmosphere.
After about a half hour,
Letricia Rodriguez took to the microphone to start off the program. She acknowledged the officers of the Greater
Lansing Hispanic Chamber and several others who are also working to advance the
Chamber’s cause. She introduced Aaron
Fox of Century 21 Looking Glass and Dr. Phillip Knight and Jessica Klinger from
Big Brothers Big Sisters.
She also introduced Ricky
Valenz, a graduate of Everett High School who won awards for the Best Duo and
the Best Vocalist from the Tejano Music Association. It’s a great honor to have a local musician
recognized this way!
She then brought Jessica
Klinger to the podium and she introduced Dr. Phillip Knight, the Executive
Director of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Michigan Capital Region. Dr. Knight gave an interesting speech about
the background and current activities of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The organization was started
in 1904 in by a family court clerk who saw a cycle of delinquency in his work
with the court. He challenged 80
businessmen to mentor boys in 1904.
From this start Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS from now on to save our
aging blogger’s fingers) grew to the organization it is today!
They have been in Lansing for
about 60 years.
Dr. Knight noted that when a
BIG walks into the life of a LITTLE, the child’s attendance and academic performance
improve while the chance and level of delinquency decreases because of the
relationship.
He asked, “Does it really
last long term?” He then pointed out
that LITTLE’s are far more likely to avoid risky behaviors (drugs, crime) and
that 80% of the LITTLEs in the program say they achieved more education than
they thought possible because of the relationship. The BIG brings stability to the LITTLE’s
life. After they become adults, 67% of
LITTLEs from the program volunteer to help others in the community.
They go from being a
potential drain on society to being volunteers and contributing to the
community.
He then related the story he
titled, “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
Marie was a mother, whose
husband left the family when her son, Micah turned 5. After she remarried, her second husband was
killed four years later. All this
tragedy caused Micah to begin to shut down.
Marie contacted BBBS to ask for help.
BBBS matched Micah with Larry.
Larry attended Micah’s band concerts, soccer games and other events as
well as meeting with Micah regularly.
Larry was able to communicate
his values to Micah. He helped Micah to
successfully apply for schools and jobs to help Micah gain skills and
confidence he would need as an adult. At
graduation, Micah gave a speech about Larry and how Larry helped him. Both Larry and his mother, Marie were quite
proud.
Micah accepted an appointment
to West Point, graduated and became an officer.
Dr. Knight pointed out that West Point was able to train Micah to be an
officer because Larry taught him to be a gentleman. Larry and BBBS did a great deal to help Micah
to have a successful adult life!
Right now, Lansing has more
LITTLEs who need guidance than BIGs available to help them. Dr. Knight encouraged us all to get involved
with this worthwhile organization!
Velma Gauna from Century 21
Looking Glass then came to the stage to introduce Aaron Fox, the broker/owner
of Century 21 Looking Glass. Aaron is a
BBBS volunteer.
Aaron thanked the Greater
Lansing Hispanic Association for the opportunity to host the event. He spoke of his experiences as a volunteer.
He went through an extensive
interview process that included fingerprinting and a multiple background
checks. (BBBS takes great care to make
sure to get the best vounteers possible and to cull out those who may not be
appropriate for this position.)
Five years ago, Aaron was
matched with a LITTLE, Michael, who was ten years old at the time. It took awhile and a few meetings for a
relationship to develop, but gradually Aaron and Michael got closer and were
able to have real conversations. Some
times the conversations were pleasant, some times they were awkward and
occasionally, Michael would call to ask for advice.
Aaron noted that Michael had
a young friend who could possibly have also used help from BBBS.
Aaron praised the BBBS staff
for their willingness and ability to help with situations that a volunteer who
is not a Professional in this field will encounter. They put him in the best position to make
sure he could help Michael as much as possible.
Five years later, Michael
joined Aaron at a tailgate party. Aaron
enjoyed the company of his old friends; he thought to ask Michael about his old
friends and specifically, the young friend from five years ago. Michael said that he had cut off contact with
the old friend; the old friend had joined a gang. Michael transferred schools to get away from
several potentially toxic relationships.
Aaron realized that Michael
had the wisdom and courage to do this because of the help and guidance he and
BBBS were able to provide. Michael is on
a path that will get him the education necessary to do well in college.
Aaron concluded by telling us
how rewarding his experience was and that for every negative he experienced,
there were 100 positives!
The presentations of Dr.
Knight and Aaron Fox were stimulating and informative. They gave a close-up view of the power of
BBBS and volunteers to really help in our community.
Many thanks to both of them
for informing us of the need and how we can help.
Also, I thank the Greater
Lansing Hispanic Chamber for putting on this event and for doing all they can
to help make Lansing a better place to live and work!
I’m really glad I
attended. Not only did I learn of Big
Brothers Big Sisters and all they did in the community, but I renewed old
acquaintances, made new ones and my friend J.T. made a valuable contact who might be able to help
him market his Aerial Artwork!
