RSF Women’s Fund grant supports military families through Operation Bigs: An initiative of Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County

By Diane Y. Welch

When military parents are deployed the effects may be far reaching. While most understand the anxiety and fears suffered by those in the military who are in a war zone, few realize how this stress affects the family.
As the members of the Rancho Santa Women's Fund gathered at the home of member Susan Muha for their debriefing session that followed the recent round of pooled fund grant awards, several spoke of the importance of supporting local military families and specifically reflected on the grant that was awarded to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County, Inc.
This particular grantee was successful because it focuses on military family members, said member, Donna Ferrier. “We chose to award $40,000 to help expand what is called Operation Bigs, an initiative program of BBBS already in place at Camp Pendleton. This is a mentoring program that partners volunteer adults with military children and has a track record of success.”
Operation Bigs provides a tangible way for community members to provide support to those who are often most affected by war, the children and spouses who are left behind. The program is the first of its kind in the nation. Mentors, who are usually retired

“Big Brother” Javon Burden with “Little Brother” Koffi.

or current military personnel, can provide a system of stability while a child is going through a very stressful time in their lives.
The money donated by the RSF Women's Fund will facilitate the further growth of Operation Bigs to provide mentoring for more children of deployed Marines and sailors at Camp Pendleton, and to expand the program to bases in Point Loma, Miramar and Coronado. The awarded funds will cover administrative costs and help with the volunteer screening program, said member, Judy Arendsee.
Statistics collected by the nonprofit organization show that 60 percent of military children have increased anxiety and fear, 57 percent have increased behavioral problems at home and they are two-and-a-half times more likely to have psychological problems. The Pentagon estimates that currently there are 234,000 children in America that have a mother or father at war, according to an informational video produced by BBBS.
The video spotlighted a military mom at Camp Pendleton, who not only had two young children at home, but was diagnosed with cancer while her husband was deployed. The time spent while she underwent multiple surgeries and follow-up therapies added an additional strain to the family. Through Operation Bigs her two children were able to share quality, one-on-one time with their respective Big Brother and Big Sister, relieving some of the anxiety, and in the son's case raising his academic standard to honor roll level.
“The multiple, and long deployments are definitely taking a toll on the children left behind,” said Paul Palmer, president and CEO of BBBS. “And children are often the forgotten victims of war. The volunteer meets with the same child each week; they play sports, board games or just talk to one another, just as friends do.”
Children are referred by their teachers or counselors, and volunteers are pre-screened and placed by BBBS. Statistics collected by the Programs Outcome Evaluations Report (2005-2006) for school-based mentoring show that 89 percent of those in the mentoring program increased in self confidence, while 68 percent improved in overall academic performance, and 83 percent experienced improved relationships with adults.
The results show that this is working, said Palmer. “We not only see improved academic performance, but better behavior, and a dramatic increase in self-esteem.”
To find out more about Operation Bigs visit www.SDBigs.org. To find out more about the Rancho Santa Fe Women's Fund, visit www.rsffoundation.org/womensfund