Local business reaches out in wake of gang violence

BY ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

As local residents reel in the wake of another gang-related teenage death, one Santa Barbara business owner is hoping his efforts to combat gang violence will make a difference.
Rick Hannay, owner of Avalar Real Estate of Santa Barbara, is hosting a public drop-in session at his Paseo Nuevo office today, offering information about the local Big Brothers Big Sisters program. He plans to hold similar sessions at least once a month.

“Santa Barbara has a problem with gangs and youth programs,” Hannay told the Daily Sound. “We can’t expect the government to do anymore than they are doing about it. And if the parents aren’t doing anything about it, it’s up to the rest of us citizens to pull up our socks and help out these kids.”
Bonnie Pack, coordinator of the local Big Brothers Big Sisters, said spending just a few hours a week with children can support their growth and keep them on the right track.
“By the guidance the Big Brothers and Big Sisters give the kids, they make better decisions, get along better with family and friends, and are less likely to engage in risky behavior,” Pack said.
She said that kids with a mentor are about 50 percent less likely to skip school or be involved in violence or substance abuse. Her program, which is managed by Family Services Agency, matches children aged 7 to 17 with responsible adult role models, who share their time listening, playing sports, helping with homework and sharing common interests with their Little Brothers or Sisters.
“The children are oftentimes at risk,” Pack said. “Sometimes it’s just a ‘Little’ that’s in need of a ‘Big’ because the father isn’t in the home, or there has been a death in the family.”
Hannay said there are about 45 kids waiting for an older mentor in the program, and there are probably more who would register if mentors were available.
“There are boys and girls that are looking for companionship, for friendship,” Hannay said. “...We just want to do what we can to help them promote this service, because the community is in real need.”
Pack confirmed that approximately 45 children are on the waiting list in Santa Barbara, many of them young boys in need of a Big Brother.
“We can have cross-gender matches with Little Brothers with Big Sisters,” Pack said. “But oftentimes it can be a request of single moms that want a male role model for their child.”
Pack said the process of becoming a mentor is fairly simple. After an interview, a criminal and DMV background check, and reference checks, her staff complete an interest inventory to find the best match. Training and supervision of the match continue beyond the initial setup as well, she said.
“We want to ensure that we provide the most responsible adult that we can,” Pack explained.
Hannay said he hopes anyone who signs up during his informational session is prepared to spend at least two hours a week with the child they mentor, and will agree to a yearlong commitment. Santa Barbara citizens aged 18 and up can visit his office at 801 Paseo Nuevo Mall on State Street today from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., where he will show a video about the program, hand out applications and answer questions along with Pack.
Hannay and Pack plan to hold similar sessions at the same location and time every third Wednesday of the month.
Hannay, along with his wife, is in the process of becoming a mentor through the program, and is encouraging his employees to get involved as well. His goal for the session, he said, is to cover the 45 children that are waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister.