BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — A Birmingham chapter of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters program is using a new, faith-based approach to matching adults with children in need of mentors.
The initiative, called Faithful Friends, is unique to the agency and based on “Amachi,” a West African term meaning “who knows but what God has brought us through this child.”
James Mathews works with Faithful Friends, the congregation-based mentoring program that works in the Birmingham area. Mathews started his mentoring work four years ago, when he volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters. A member of Hunter Street Baptist Church in Hoover, Ala., he was paired with a boy who grew up fatherless.
“When you add in faith-based concepts, you're interacting not only on a social level but a spiritual one too,” Mathews said. “We show them that when you believe in God and Jesus Christ, he is the starting point. It gives them a basis for hope and shows that, although certain things may happen in their lives, he's always with them and will love them.”
Sue Johnson, executive director of the program, said about 70 percent of children with a parent in prison will spend time in prison as well. She also said the agency has identified more than 5,000 children in the Birmingham area who have a parent in prison.
“So many are going to end up in prison when they're grown, it's staggering,” Johnson said. “Mentoring children of prisoners is mission work in our own backyard. It's work that can truly make a difference in the life of a child.”
She said many of the children are referred to the agency by their mothers, who are inmates at Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, Ala.
“They can't be there for their children and know they need help and role models,” Johnson said.
Leaders at Hunter Street Baptist recognized that need about three years ago, when the church joined Faithful Friends as a signature partner. Signature partners provide at least 10 volunteers to mentor children and designate a “point person” from the church to work with the program staff.
Spencer Knight, minister of ministries at Hunter Street Baptist, said Mathews spoke with him about wanting to volunteer with children at almost the same time Johnson approached him about participating in the program.
“We love that we're getting into the community and making an impact,” Knight said. “It's been a good fit, and [Big Brothers Big Sisters] is easy to work with. They want to make this a success, and they're asking churches to demonstrate their faith and make a Christian impact. It's a wide open door of opportunity for churches to make a difference in the life of a child, like Christ has done in us.”
A volunteer who signs up to be a mentor undergoes screening, a background check and an interview before being matched with a child. He or she meets with their child at least every other week for four to six hours. According to Johnson, they form lifelong friendships and serve as role models in the process.
Monica Grubbs, executive director of a Big Brother Big Sister program in northwest Alabama, said she wants to launch a similar program in her area.
“As a Baptist, I feel that we can change the lives of these children and families forever if we take time to mentor them,” Grubbs said. “Someone will make a difference in their lives. It may be a positive or a negative change, but someone will influence them.”
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— Lauren Brooks is a correspondent for The Alabama Baptist.