Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 14, 1990 TAG: 9003152547
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
But Henry's dad isn't around much. His parents divorced when he was 4. His dad lives in Iowa and Henry hasn't seen him for about two years.
But the effect this has on Henry's life isn't too extreme, thanks to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program.
"I've been in the program for two years and I really like it," said Henry, who plans to be a lawyer or orthodontist. "We do some fun things. And we talk."
Henry is describing the relationship he has with his big brother, Kent Bond, a 34-year-old investment broker and insurance agent with Mensh Insurance in Christiansburg.
Matched through Big Brothers and Big Sisters of New River Valley when Henry was 12, the two have developed a an enduring friendship.
"I'm not here to replace the parent," said Bond, who also sits on the program's board of directors. "I'm here to be a positive influence, like a parent is, and to be a friend."
That's the premise behind the national Big Brothers and Big Sisters. The one-to-one service for children, primarily from single-parent homes, was founded in 1903. Currently there are more than 450 affiliated agencies throughout the United States.
The New River Valley branch, based in Christiansburg and headed by Susan Roop Gibas, serves about 30 matches in Montgomery County and the city of Radford. Gibas said there are 30 to 40 more children waiting to be matched with adults.
"We are a professional, non-profit service as well as companionship," she said. "A volunteer must spend at least four to six hours a week with their `little,' and the match is then managed by a case worker."
Gibas said it's a preventive program intended to help a child before problems start, for example, with drugs. And the requirements for big brothers and sisters are tough.
A potential volunteer must go through extensive checks of driving and criminal records, references and interviews at home and in the local office.
"Even a drunk driving charge can hold up the application," Gibas said. "We are really careful and screen a person thoroughly."
"I almost thought I was prying," Bryan's mother, Sallie Henry, said of the screening. "When Bryan and I were considering the program, we thought we were finding out way too much about the person, but it pays to be safe."
Sallie Henry said she has no problems letting Bryan go places with Kent. She said Kent always tells her where they are going and what they're doing.
"Kent's not the most punctual person in the world, but we're used to that now!" she said.
Sallie Henry, a computer science professor at Virginia Tech, is herself part of the relationship that Kent and Bryan share.
"I always go through her," Kent said. "I honor her saying `no' and we go by what she says."
In trying to be a positive influence, Kent discusses sex, drugs, school and sports with Bryan, lending an ear and offering advice. They also attend sporting and fishing events as well as "shoot some hoop" during the week.
Kent believes that hanging out with Bryan keeps him young and will eventually help him when he decides to have his own kids.
"You really learn to communicate," Kent said.
And the two playfully roughhouse with each other, throwing punches to the stomach and knocking up against each other.
"I've probably first developed a life-long friend," Kent said.
"I don't know," Bryan joked. "You're kinda askin' for a lot!"
by CNB