From Little Brother to Big Brother

In 1973, when Gregg Houston was four years old, his father passed away. Two years later, his mother enrolled him in a mentoring program in Michigan so he could have a positive male influence in his life. Early this year, Gregg began repaying the favor which was paid to him as a child and became a mentor to Elliot, a shy 15-year-old boy whose mother passed away from cancer three years ago and who now lives with his grandmother.

“My kids are grown up now. I have two daughters I raised like boys so my wife said I needed to finally have a boy,” Gregg said with a smile. Gregg, who works for the IRS, learned about the need for mentors at the company’s annual leadership conference and signed up through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, a partner of UWCA and 1 Hour for Kids.

United Way Capital Area’s initiatives, such as 1 Hour For Kids, focus on helping hundreds of at-risk middle school students make connections to mentors, tutors, advocates, role models and other supportive adults who can help them achieve academic and life success.

Currently, one out of every four of Austin’s students entering the ninth grade does not graduate from high school. UWCA’s experts in education know that middle school students with at least one supportive adult in their lives are twice as likely to graduate from high school as those who do not.
 
Sometimes it takes Elliot awhile to warm up to Gregg when they get together, but thanks to fun activities like trips to the movies, the zoo, the park and the museum, Gregg has finally started to see some real improvement. “I know I’m making progress with him because he’s opening up to me more than before and smiling more often when we’re together. When I speak with his grandmother after I drop him off, I can tell he’s talking about me and she says he’s so excited when he comes home that he bounces off the walls!”

Even though being Elliot’s mentor is only a one-year commitment, Gregg fully recommends the experience to anyone that has the time. “This is about time and dedication, not about hanging out for a weekend. I’ll know Elliot for the rest of his life.”

If you would like more information about becoming a mentor and impacting the lives of Austin’s youth, please visit www.unitedwaycapitalarea.org/1hourforkids.