The D.W. Perkins Bar Association hosted representatives of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid at its May 3 meeting at the Main Library Downtown.
The two nonprofit organizations gave presentations that illustrated how they could help the African-American community.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida CEO Warren Grymes explained the historical relationship between the legal community and his organization.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters is a legacy to the legal community,” said Grymes.
It began when New York City Court Clerk Ernest Coulter starting noticing a higher number of boys in the court system and recognized that caring adults could help many of the kids stay out of trouble, and Coulter set out to find volunteers.
That is recognized as the start of the Big Brothers movement, which would partner with Big Sisters International in 1977.
The organization offers two core types of donor-funded programs: community-based and school-based mentoring.
Grymes was accompanied by both a Big Brother, Shannal Thomas, and a “little,” Kyseme Khon, at the meeting. Thomas talked about his experience being a mentor to Khon.
“In life, I’ve realized it’s not the money you make or the titles you gain. It’s about what you give back,” said Thomas.
“Kyseme is very well-focused and does well in school. He’s going to be the next Bill Gates. He loves technology,” said Thomas.
Grymes said he could use more volunteers like Thomas.
“Our biggest need is African-American males. We just don’t have enough volunteers to match up with the kids who want to be in the program,” said Bob Cole, a member of the board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida.
Ariel Patterson, an attorney with the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Predatory Lending Division, provided a presentation that describing the services offered with the help of U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development grants.
“The grants allow us to do housing counseling pre-foreclosure and hold foreclosure outreach events for Hispanic and African-American homeowners,” said Patterson.
Duval County Judge Pauline Drake, president of the D.W. Perkins Bar Association, also announced that the association will host a town hall discussion of the “Stand Your Ground” law at the Florida State College at Jacksonville Downtown campus from 6-8 p.m. May 22.
“We want to get as many people (as possible) to attend the event so we can get views from both sides of the issue,” said Drake.
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