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Mentoring program seeks male role models; deals with waitlist

Marci Krivonen

This month an art gallery in Aspen is filled with photos of mentors involved with the non profit Buddy Program. The “Men in Mentoring” installation is meant to get guys interested in becoming role models for a long wait-list of boys needing guidance. The need is particularly acute in the Mid-Valley. Aspen Public Radio’s Marci Krivonen has more.

Ryan Larkin and his pal Jacob drill screws into the lemonade stand they’re making. The two are decades apart in age, but work together like old friends.

Larkin became Jacob’s mentor, or “big buddy,” two years ago. They spend hours in the garage, building things. But, they’re outside a lot too.

"(We go) mountain biking, skiing, hiking, swimming. We go to tons of parties and events with the Buddy Program," says Jacob.

The two hang out once a week.

Credit Marci Krivonen
Larkin has been Jacob's mentor for two years. They spend a lot of time in Larkin's garage, building things.

Reporter: "Is hanging out with Ryan one of the highlights of your week, Jacob?"

Jacob: "Yeah, probably. Most of the time I’m either doing homework, going to school or soccer practice."

Jacob is one of the lucky ones. Of the 100 buddy pairs in the Roaring Fork Valley, about half are males but, more boys than girls are on the waitlist. And those awaiting a mentor are mostly in the Mid-Valley. Heather Hicks is Director of Recruitment for the Buddy Program.

"Boys and girls on the waitlist in Basalt, El Jebel and Carbondale, tend to be waiting for up to a year and a half," she says.

At the Nugget Gallery in Aspen, large framed photos of male buddy pairs are on display. The photos feature the pairs together, dressed in skateboard or snowboard gear or tossing a football.

The exhibit is meant to spark interest and get new male mentors on board. Mentors help with self esteem and decision-making. Hicks says it’s common to see boys with single mothers get referred to the program.

"No matter how beneficial and wonderful that female role model is, there’s no replacement for a male role model for those man-to-man talks and for kids growing up without a male mentor in the home or related to them, they can struggle to find their footing in the world."

Finding male mentors isn’t just difficult in the Roaring Fork Valley.

"Nationally, this is definitely an issue. For every three females we recruit, we’re only able to recruit one male," says Audrey Siegfried with the Colorado Mentoring Partnership.

The organization works to increase the number of mentoring organizations in the state. She says some use campaigns to draw new recruits but they often don’t move the dial. Boys can wait for years and possibly never receive a mentor.

"As we know with the great disparities in young male achievement, it’s absolutely necessary and we really need to be reaching more male mentors who can support our young people," Siegfried says.

Even President Obama acknowledged the problem last year and launched My Brother’s Keeper. It's an initiative to expand mentoring and address opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men.

Back in Ryan Larkin’s garage, Jacob seeks direction on next steps for the lemonade stand under construction. Larkin came from a large family with lots of role models. And, with no children of his own, being a mentor was appealing, though there was uncertainty.

"I guess there was some hesitation because there’s commitment involved," says Larkin. "But, it has been so easy and fun. I now allot a certain amount of time each week to play."

It's something most adults don’t have time to do.