Timothy Williams had role models when he was growing up. There was the baseball coach who also was a police officer, and an alderman regularly shared a pew with his family at church on Sundays. Looking back on those elements still makes him feel grateful.
“I grew up in a community where I had good examples of adults who were supportive,” Williams said. “I think that’s something that’s missing from the community now.”
So he got involved. The Dolton resident has been a youth mentor since 2016 for the nonprofit organization NabrU — “urban” spelled backwards — which strives to improve the lives of youth by “changing their situation and not their location,” according to materials from the group.
Reaching local youth has become easier for Williams and other activists after NabrU teamed up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago for programming at the Dolton Park District.
“The timing made sense for us to work together since they had the relationship with the schools in the area and we were an organization with mentors,” said Williams, explaining the group’s nearly 20 mentors went through background checks and training. NabrU had been at Parkside Academy in Chicago, organizing turkey drives, toy giveaways and a Father’s Day event.
Brenda Boyd, Southland regional director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago, said the organization had historically supported the city but not the far south and south suburban communities. But when CEO Jeremy Foster was shown the need, all that changed. The south suburban office opened in Homewood in October 2023 to support 55 communities in the Southland.
Boyd said her mission was to create programming partnerships with schools, churches and businesses and to match mentors with youth.
“Dolton is a vibrant community that has historically supported its youth and the wellness of the community’s youth,” said Boyd. “By launching a program in Dolton, BBBS positions itself to be a part of the community through connectedness and engagement.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters also now has programs with the Youth Education Development Academy at the Richton Park Community Center and the Thornton High School Bigs program, which pairs juniors and seniors as mentors with students from Bryant Elementary School in Harvey.
Boyd said they are also recruiting for other programs. Lynwood Lunch Buddies pairs first responders and community members with students at Sandridge School District 172. Lansing Lunch Buddies pairs first responders and community members with students at Memorial Junior High School. Calumet City Teen REACH program pairs fraternities and sororities with youth. There’s also a Glenwood Academy High School Bigs program and a Timber Ridge community-based program in Matteson.
The Dolton program includes time for relationship building, a structured group activity, snacks and free time for personal stories and interests and outings. Alisa Lockhardt is the facilitator there.
Last month mentees received bikes and mentors got passes to attend Brookfield Zoo and Chicago Botanic Garden with them. In coming months they’ll also host a community Cupcakes and Canvas paint event and meet and greets with guests. There is an emphasis on helping boys.
“Male mentoring is important because it provides young boys with positive role models, helping them develop a healthy sense of identity, navigate challenges specific to their gender and learn valuable life skills by offering guidance and support from a mature male figure, which can be especially crucial when a father figure is absent or limited in their life,” said Boyd. “NabrU’s positive role models are providing our youth with valuable life skills, mental health support, and social engagement in trusting, committed, supportive mentoring relationships.”
Boyd said she’d seen the help first-hand with a youth who had spent years in foster care and was adopted by a single mom.
“She has stated on several occasions how our program and our commitment to her son has made a difference in her and her son’s life and their relationship,” said Boyd.
Tracey Skinner began volunteering for the Dolton location several months ago as a way to give back to the community. He’s glad he’s mentoring.
“We have to start back with our youth,” said Skinner, who lives in Flossmoor. “I’m giving him that person to reach out to.
“He’s a really good kid and he’s really receptive to the feedback,” said Skinner.
William said the program was more than just mentoring.
“It’s showing the kids they matter,” said Williams. “It’s showing there’s someone in their corner rooting for them to win.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
