Program makes big difference in children's lives
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Arthur "Chito" Servin and Rick Garibay

Rick Garibay couldn't find a reason to say no when Lucy Castro, a caseworker with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County, asked him if he'd like to mentor a young boy.

Castro was looking for garlic in the grocery store that day in 2006 but ended up finding a lot more after striking up a conversation with produce manager Garibay about the need for men to join the one-on-one mentoring program. "I knew he knows; he knows the things these kids have been through," Castro said.

For 54-year-old Garibay, Castro's question sparked memories of his own difficult childhood. "Those words couldn't come out of my mouth: 'I'm too busy,'" he said. So he said yes, and has been a Big Brother to 12-year-old Arthur "Chito" Servin since January.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County chose Garibay and Chito to represent the agency's nearly 1,000 mentor matches at a fundraiser later this month.

The two will speak at the Technicolor/Corey Pavin Golf Tournament on Mon., April 23 at the Saticoy Country Club.

The event raised $154,000 last year, money which goes to pay for program operating costs such as training for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, called "Bigs," and providing ongoing staff support after a match is made.

It costs the nonprofit about $1,000 to support a match for a year, spokeswoman Terri Felix said. She said the goal is to match 1,200 children, ages 6 to 18, with a Big this year and 1,500 by 2010. "There are many more youth to be served," Felix said.

Children who participate in the program, known as "Littles," experience a number of significant benefits, according to the agency. Their academic performance is likely to improve. They tend to be more aware of educational and career options and experience improved relationships with peers and family members.

Littles are also 99 percent more likely to avoid pregnancy in their adolescent years, the agency said.

Chito, who lives with his grandmother and two of his seven siblings in a one-bedroom home in Santa Paula, signed up for the program after noticing a flier at school. His father is deceased.

"I just felt like there was something missing- I needed a male (role) model in my life," the seventh-grader said.

Garibay did not sign on to be a Big because he has idle time on his hands. The married father of two adult daughters has a full-time job and cares for his ailing in-laws and 91yearold mother.

But he makes time for Chito because he remembers being an adolescent in search of acceptance, finding it in the wrong places and with the wrong crowd, he said.

"I don't want him (Chito) to get caught up in a bad situation and bad company," Garibay said. "If you can get across to one person, that's all that matters. I want to guide him in the right direction."

Garibay reserves Fridays or weekend time for Chito. Generally, their time together involves "a lot of talking and eating," they said in unison.

Spending money, however, is not a requirement for being a Big Brother or Big Sister. It requires a commitment of the heart, not of money, Garibay said.

"Love doesn't come from the wallet; it comes from right here," the selfdescribed restaurant connoisseur said, tapping his chest.

For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County or the golf classic, call Felix at (805) 484-2282, ext. 23.