University of Virginia Library

Volunteers As Father Figures

"Younger kids are easier to work with and
more fun, but they have less need for a counselor
than older ones," observed George Hughes,
student director of the Garroett Street area
sub-program.

Black second-year man Michael Hall strongly
feels that older boys need a big brother more than
his five-year old little brother does. "At 12 or 13,
a boy needs a father figure as he is becoming a
man. He needs constructive guidance," he noted.

Surprisingly, this issue of constructive
guidance is the only serious complaint that Mr.
Hall has against white volunteers. Black first-year
student Sheila Cobbs agrees.

"Race does not make much difference if the
volunteer approaches it right, but whites tend to
let their kids run wild rather than teaching them
manners," Miss Cobbs explained. "It destroys
what I have tried to teach my little sister when
they get together at program functions."

A key to any successful relationship is the
volunteer's rapport with the child's parents,
because the volunteer must complement the
parent without overshadowing him. "Without
parental support, I doubt anything can be
accomplished," Mr. Hughes noted.