For Women and Caregivers with Boys who may benefit from Big Buddy

Introduction

At Big Buddy, we have nothing but praise for mothers raising sons alone. We get phone calls nearly every day from mothers who, despite their best efforts at sole parenting, know their sons need a male role model in their lives. We believe their instincts are right - generally, women can't model 'maleness' and above all else, boys learn how to be a man through modelling.

The Big Buddy mentoring programme is based on the simple philosophy that boys need good, reliable male role models in their lives to become good men. The idea is simple yet profound in its reach. It just involves a good man showing up every week into your boy's life, assuring him another man cares for him and giving him a model of what it means to be a good man. No coaching, no psychological behaviour management, no blaming of parents.

Knowing there is a man he can trust to show up and to listen should increase your boy's self-esteem and improve his relationships. He will likely do better at school and he will be less inclined to crime and abuse. The statistics on positive mentoring are compelling and we honour the good men who step up to plate and say, 'I'd like to part of this young man's life - I'd like to help make a difference.'

The Big Buddy Programme has run successfully in Auckland since 1997. We have developed a safe and effective programme, accepting male volunteer mentors (Big Buddies) and boys (Little Buddies) from a wide range of backgrounds.