Jake Howard Big Brothers Big Sisters Interview

Jake Howard Big Brothers Big Sisters Interview

2013 marks the 10th anniversary of YMCA Perth delivering the internationally renowned youth mentoring program Big Brothers Big Sisters. To commemorate the anniversary of this vital youth program, 30-year-old Jake Howard from Perth has set himself the challenging task of running 10kms in 10 spectacular cities around the world to raise funds for the organisation.

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides community based mentoring to disadvantaged youth aged 7-17 across Australia. The program is based on the development of a long-term, supportive, one-on-one friendship between an adult volunteer and a young person.

The Little Brothers and Sisters come from a range of different home environments, families and cultural backgrounds, however all of them share the need for a positive adult influence in their lives. There are presently more than 100 young people in Perth on the waiting list eagerly hoping for their Big Brother or Big Sister match to be made.

Little T, who is now 11 years old, was introduced into the program by his mum when he started having behavioural issues at school at age nine. As a single mum of three boys, she was concerned that he didn't have a positive male role model in his life.

Big R's motivation for joining the program as a Big Brother stemmed from his own experience of growing up without a male role model. Big R's parents divorced and when he was twelve and his father moved overseas. He remembers wishing his father was nearby so they could do things together, and wanting a male influence in his life. By joining Big Brothers Big Sisters, Big R hoped he could fill a void in another child's life by volunteering for the program.

Little T and Big R have certainly filled the void together with a huge range of activities including trips to the zoo, the beach, the circus and a special helicopter ride.

Having been matched for the past two years, Big R admits the benefit of their relationship is definitely a twoway street. Big R says his visits with Little T were one of the most consistent parts of his life where he could relax and simply have fun for a few hours. For Little T, his mum has reported that his behaviour has improved at home and at school, but most importantly he is much happier and enjoys having a positive male role model in his life.

Little T's journey is just one of the many stories that inspired Jake Howard, the Director of business development company, Sales Pipeline, to become involved with the community organisation supporting young people in need.

'Over the past year I've had the privilege of being part of the YMCA Fundraising Taskforce. This is made up of a group of professionals who regularly donate their time in order to find new and innovative ways to generate support for the program to keep it running," says Jake.

Donna Hamilton, Mentoring Program Manager for YMCA of Perth says, "The funds raised by Jake's initiative will help us to recruit, screen, train, monitor and support new mentors for kids on our wait list." 'Financial sustainability is the key challenge for our program, and to keep in line with national standards we need quality staff who coordinate our volunteer base. Extra funds also help us to infuse fun and engaging activities for matches, which is at the heart of our program's purpose."

Kicking off in Singapore on August 16, Jake is now in full training mode for his running adventure across the globe. Jake will complete 100kms in total, running in a new location every 3-5 days, then finishing in Perth on 25th October at the YMCA Youth HQ in Leederville.

To support Jake visit www.10in10for10.com.au

Interview with Jake Howard

Question: Can you tell us about the Big Brothers Big Sisters program?

Jake Howard: The Big Brothers Big Sisters program is a global youth mentoring initiative that's aim is to pair young people aged between 12 and 17 with -Bigs' who are volunteers who kindly offer their time to get involved in these young people's lives, be a friend and support structure for them, and enjoy some life experiences together. These young people come from a range of different backgrounds and social circumstances, some including those that may only have one parent, come from an very underprivileged background, have troubles at school and weaker socialising abilities. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Perth is dedicated to helping young people in WA to blossom and reach their full potential with the help and guidance of a Big Sister' or Big Brother'.

Question: How have you been involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program?

Jake Howard: I've been a member of the YMCA & Big Brothers Big Sisters Fundraising Taskforce for a couple of years. The taskforce is a group of professionals who volunteer their time to help drive fundraising initiatives and create corporate connections that will help lead to funding that can be put into the Big Brothers Big Sisters program to ensure it remains financially strong and can match as many -littlies' with as many -bigs' as possible.


Question: What inspired you to want to raise funds for the organisation?

Jake Howard: Very simple, the program works, and it's aims and objectives to help youth in Perth is an admirable one, and I think a hugely important one. I've seen the results the program has been responsible for not just in Perth, but across the globe. The program itself has helped turned many young people's lives around for the better, and if my small contribution through this 10 in 10 for 10 initiative can help with matching a few extra young Perth people with a -Big' mentors, then that for me would be an outstanding result.


Question: What has impressed you most about the youth mentoring program over the past ten years?

Jake Howard: I think it's consistency seems to be one of the biggest highlights for the program, both from a growth and outcomes perspective. Every year the program attempts to match more young people with mentors than they did the year before. There is an ever increasing demand for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Perth, and the team who work tirelessly on administrating the program do everything in their power to try and meet that growing demand which is no easy task. I think it's really important to note that this year the Big Brothers Big Sisters program was formally recognised and rewarded for all their hard work by being named this year's WA Community Volunteer Program of the Year, a great and very well earned accolade.


Question: Can you talk about the challenge you've set yourself to raise money?

Jake Howard: I originally set out to raise $10,000, in line with the theme of the challenge. Due to a really strong response from the corporate sector raising their hands to come on board as corporate supporters we've manager to already reach that milestone. As a result I've now set my sights higher and will be doing everything in my power to reach over $20,000 by the time I reach the end of my journey. This is no doubt a huge challenge, however I believe if I can get a lot of people to donate a little, then I should be able to reach it. So with that said, I've started the 1000 person challenge, aiming to get 1000 people to donate $10 to help me achieve this goal.


Question: How can Australians donate and encourage your challenge?
Jake Howard: The best way to donate would be to go to my website https://10in10for10.com.au/Donation.aspx. From there you'll see there are a range of options for how people can donate to the cause, including online payment, direct debit or details for where to send cheques. It's important to note that every single dollar donated goes directly into the bank accounts of YMCA Perth who are the custodians of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Not a single cent of the money donated is going towards funding any part of my trip, that's all been put in place by funds out of my own pocket.

If readers aren't in a position to donate, then the spreading of the word about what I'm doing and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program more directly is just as valuable! Tell your family, tell your friends, tell your work colleagues. The more people aware of the great things this program is doing the better. You can also follow my Facebook page and other social media outlets to keep up to date with everything I'm up to on my journey for those that are interested www.facebook.com/10in10for10).


Question: How can Little Brothers and Sisters along with Big Brothers Big Sisters apply to be involved in the program?

Jake Howard: Both -Bigs' and -Littles' can find out how to be a part of the program by contacting Donna Hamilton (Program Manager) by phone on (08) 9227 0479, or feel free to visit http://www.perth.ymca.org.au/Youth-Services/Big-Brothers-Big-Sisters.aspx to read more about the program.

IMPORTANT NOTE – The program is in GREAT NEED for Big Brothers (Male Volunteer Mentors). So if there's any men out there, or readers who have friends and loved ones of the male variety that might be interesting in getting involved please pass this info on!


Question: What is your aim for the upcoming fundraising event?

Jake Howard: 2 things, firstly to raise as much money as possible to help fund as many matches over 2014, and secondly to ensure as many people learn about the program as possible and hopefully find ways that they themselves can get involved to support this awesome program.


Question: What's a typical day like for you and how have you fit training into that schedule?

Jake Howard: My typical day can only be described with one word, HECTIC! I run a small marketing business that keeps me extremely busy in addition to volunteering my time to a number of charity and not for profit organisations. I've been managing to fit training in 3-4 times a week which has meant some very early starts and extremely long days. But let me tell you, I've enjoyed every single minute and will continue to do so. I am so proud of the what I've achieved so far and the immense support I've received. I'm hoping by the time I arrive home there'll be even more to talk about and be proud of.

Interview by Brooke Hunter