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Today, thousands of children in the Washington Metropolitan area are growing up in single-parent households without the positive influence of an adult male or female role model. Studies have shown that most come from low-income households, and many live in families with histories of substance abuse and/or domestic violence.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters' program is making a positive impact on these children by providing individual and school-based mentoring programs. The goal is to help youth develop better attitudes toward school, achieve higher grades and improve their relationships with both adults and their peers. Single parents rely on Big Brothers Big Sisters because the absence of a father; mother or positive role model has a profound effect on their children's development.

In order to become successful in its mission, the Big Brother Big Sister program needs volunteers. If you would like to make a positive impact on children, live in the Washington metropolitan area, and/or want to register your child to become a Little Brother or Little Sister, please fill out a registration form by going to the Big Brother Big Sisters Of the National Capital Area at http://www.bbbsnca.org/index.php or by contacting Charles Tate at BBBS at (202) 783-5585.

Drake's Place Salon is proud to support the BBBSNCA. The Salon periodically holds sponsorship events to recruit mentors. Stay tuned for one of our upcoming events.

Big Brothers Big Sisters' One-To-One® mentoring services: A Big Brother Big Sister mentor commits to incorporate a child into his or her life and spends an average of four hours weekly with a Little Brother or Little Sister.

Services to Single Parents: The stress of being a single parent can be overwhelming when juggling work and family responsibilities. This service provides vital services to single parents and their families - including advocacy, crisis intervention and resource referrals by professional casework staff members.

JUMPStart School-Based Mentoring Program seeks to establish partnerships and mentors from corporations, civic groups, high schools and colleges, faith-based groups, the military and service clubs. Selected Big Brother Big Sister mentors volunteer in an elementary or middle school and see their Little Brothers or Little Sisters one hour a week during or after the school day.

Helping those in correctional facilities:
In 1998, African Americans comprised approximately 12.7% of the population, but shockingly nearly 46% of African American youth remain incarcerated in various correctional facilities. Of those released from corrections into the community, almost 50%-90% will re-offend and go back to prison.

What can be done?
It is widely recognized that education, vocational training, employment, and community participation are factors that enable these individuals to make successful social adjustments. Drake's Place barbershop provides employment for individuals with a license as well as training as an apprentice barber. This opportunity is geared to those who have completed a portion of their training in corrections and need additional experience to acquire a license. By allowing these individuals to earn a living and by providing mentoring services, Drake's place is giving them the opportunity to adjust to a new and fulfilling lifestyle.

The Vocational Development Work Study program at DuVal is designed to give 11th and 12th grade students the opportunity to transition easily from school to work environments. Their performance at these various jobs within the community contributes to the students' growth and development. In addition, the successful completion of their internships will earn them course credits towards graduation.

To date 7 students have been placed at various internship positions at Drake's Place. One of the interns, 18 year old Antoine Banks, has been working at the Salon since September 2002. Antoine who has recently graduated from DuVal, says that the best part of his experience is having the opportunity to meet and service clients and to learn from the older and more experienced barbers. He describes the salon atmosphere as vibrant and friendly. He will be attending college in the fall and hopes to stay in the business in the future.