GAZETTE Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian News

By Brian Feist
TAMPA-For a reporter, the easiest interviews are those with people who love what they're doing and love to talk about it. Tampa attorney Stephen Koch is such a person.

I first met Koch five years ago, when he was named National Big Brother of the Year. He explained, at the time, how reluctant he had been to get involved with Big Brothers-Big Sisters (BBBS), and how much he had gained from mentoring his "little brother." Koch had been paired with his "Little" five years earlier, when the boy was seven.

Koch's "Little" is now 17, and about to "graduate" from the BBBS program; the two have forged a bond that will last a lifetime. Koch's commitment to the organization has expanded, as well. He is the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.

When Koch talks about BBBS, his enthusiasm is almost palpable. Celebrating it's 100th Anniversary nationally (40 years in Tampa Bay), BBBS is the premier mentoring program in the United States. This is an organization that makes a difference in the lives of children.

BBBS matches at-risk children, one-to-one, with adult mentors in a variety of programs. There are special programs for children with HIV and children who were abused, and BBBS Tampa Bay is launching a program for children with a parent in the prison system. "Children of long term (one year or more) prisoners have a 60-70% likelihood of becoming prisoner, themselves," says Koch, and adds, "20% of matches are children of long term prisoners."

BBBS of Tampa Bay offers two main mentoring programs. In the Community Based program, "Bigs" pick up their "Littles" at home and do things in the community. The time commitment for this program is 3-5 hours a week, 2-3 times a month. "The important thing to remember about this program is that it's not about spending money on the children," says Koch, "It's about spending quality time with them."

The second program is School Based, where the "Big" visits the child at his or her school one hour a week during the school year. There is also a modification of the school-based program which allows for occasional out-of-school visits. To be part of the program children must be referred by a parent of guardian. "A child has to want a big brother or big sister," says Koch. "A 'Big' is never forced on a child."

"Mentoring is not just being a tutor," says Koch. "It is being an adult friend and role model. It's being someone a kid can talk to about stuff. Being an adult friend to a child helps to improve the child's sense of self-worth."

The benefits of the program are well documented. According to information on the website for BBBS of Pinellas County, children matched with BBBS volunteers are 27% less likely to begin using alcohol, 37% less likely to skip a class, and 34% less likely to hit someone. Additionally, 56% demonstrated improved relationships with peers, 64% developed higher levels of self-confidence and more positive attitudes toward school.

Clearly, the program is working. "I think this will lead to a better Tampa Bay Community for everybody," says Koch. Bringing people together who might otherwise never come together helps build community." BBBS has set lofty goals for itself. Nationally, they want to bring 1,000,000 children into the program by 2010. That accounts for an estimated 10% of the at-risk children in the country. Koch says there are about 65,000 at-risk children in the areas served by BBBS of Tampa Bay. In 2003 they served 1574 children-30% more than 2002. This year there was another increase of 25%, and they hope to double that by 2007. To achieve these goals, many more volunteers are needed. "BBBS does not discriminate based on sexual orientation," says Koch, who himself is openly gay. "Our table is very big; we need to bring a lot of people to the table."

A nearly 400% increase in clients in six years will also require significant increases in funding. "Through improving our efficiency we have been able to serve more children with no increase in funding," says Koch. The agency has actually lost some important funding, as one-time grants expired or corporate donors changed their giving criteria. For example, $200,000 in funding was lost when the Children's Board of Hillsborough County changed their strategic plan, only funding programs for children up to eight years old. Koch says he understands the policy change, but laments, "Kids don't stop being 'at-risk' when they turn eight."

Koch estimates that funding will need to increase by at least 10% per year to achieve the agency's growth goals. In addition to searching for new funding sources, BBBS continues to develop corporate partnerships, as well. "Some employers offer time-off with pay for mentoring," says Koch. "JP Morgan-Chase is one such company. Last year nearly 90 volunteers came from JP Morgan Chase," he adds.

Koch adds that the annual United Way fund drive is underway and BBBS receives United Way funding. Donations to the United Way can be designated for particular agencies.

(editor's note: Not all United Way agencies are gay-friendly. If you donate to the United Way, designate your donation to go to an agency or agencies that do not discriminate based on sexual orientation, like BBBS.)

In helping children, the lives of adults are changed, as well. Koch describes the experience as "pure joy," and admits his priorities have changed over the years. A successful lawyer, Koch grins and says that sometimes it seems his law practice is secondary to his volunteer work with BBBS. Now that his "Little" is "graduating" Koch has no intention of just sitting on the Board. "I've already started the process of getting matched with a "Little," he says.

Becoming a "Big" is easy. After attending an informational workshop, applicants attend training classes and the agency conducts an extensive background check. Once all of the pieces are in place, the Big is matched with a Little and a life-altering experience begins. FMI:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County

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