For the past seven years, high school girls have had the opportunity to reach out to the junior high girls on campus.
The Sister2Sister program, as it is known, has been able to mentor and influence girls at the time when they may struggle with low confidence and self-esteem.
While the girls had this opportunity, the junior high boys were left out. As a result, junior high science teacher Terry Richards decided to establish Brother to Brother.
Because there was not a similar place for the boys, he felt that something had to be done.
“For the high school boys, I felt they needed more compassion towards the younger guys,” Richards said. “Being in high school, these boys have a lot to share with the junior high boys.”
Three years after he had his initial idea for the program, Brother to Brother became a reality. Richards puts on training sessions once a month for the older brothers to help them influence their younger brothers.
Richards has worked with junior high students for over 12 years, so he knows that middle school can be a difficult stage for kids. He makes himself available to all of the older brothers and encourages them as they continue to influence their younger brothers’ lives, he said.
“Many of the junior high boys do not have fathers in their lives, or at least that father figure needed at this hard age,” Richards said. “The boys might be able to talk with their parents or a teacher, but it is not the same as talking with just another guy. Their older brother is a person they look up to.”
Juniors, seniors join program
During the first week of school, senior Josiah Ford was introduced to Brother to Brother and decided to participate.
“I signed up to hopefully be able to help and be an influence on the younger classes in a godly way,” Ford said. “This club seems different, because it’s not every school where you have the seniors going out of their way and wanting to hang out with the underclassmen [i.e., junior high students].”
Although Richards provides training for the older brothers, the main purpose of the program is to mentor the younger boys. Junior Zed Fries recognizes Brother to Brother as a means to reach out to those in need of guidance.
“I joined Brother to Brother because I felt I could really help a younger kid have a better junior high experience and help him make better choices,” Fries said. “Also, it’s built around helping the younger guys; it isn’t necessarily about us. It gives us a chance to give them wisdom about our mistakes and our triumphs.”
Richards evaluates program’s success
Based on the positive comments he has received from younger brothers in his classes, Richards considers the club to be a success. He appreciates that most of the older brothers took last semester seriously, he said.
“Just getting attention from an older guy helps the junior high boys,” Richards said. “They become more confident in who they are.”
The Brother to Brother program is a semester club. As the spring semester is here, junior and senior boys have a chance to join the program. Applications and information are available from Richards.
For more information, read the Aug. 25, 2010 article, Brother to Brother mentors junior highers.
