> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Can you spare some time? - URL: https://www.smdp.com/can-you-spare-some-time/ - Published: 2007-04-14T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T00:34:28.000Z - Author: Kevin Herrera - Tags: Education, Pico, #archive-import *Volunteers offer kids some big shoulders to lean on in the Big Brothers and Sisters program* PICO NEIGHBORHOOD As a single mother whose extended family has been scattered across the country as a result of Hurricane Katrina, Kimberly Herron was worried because her 12-year-old daughter didn’t have any siblings or cousins to spend time with. While young Heaven Crawford had met friends at Lincoln Middle School, as well as the Red Cross, where she volunteers twice a week, her mother was looking for a strong, female role model for Crawford to spend time with; someone who could take her to museums and other cultural venues, or just help her with her homework after school. “She’s an only child and I thought it would be a wonderful experience for her to grow up with siblings, like I had,” Herron said. The two didn’t have to search very far. Near their home, at Virginia Avenue Park, staff had in mind the perfect role model for young Heaven. Through a partnership with the park, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, they were able to hook up with a young professional named Yasmine, who has proven to be a guiding light for the girl. “She’s very nice and intelligent. We get along great,” Crawford said about her big sis.“We go to museums. We saw an IMAX movie. We talk about what’s going on in school. It’s nice having someone to talk to.” Crawford is one of 10 youth from Santa Monica and surrounding areas who have been matched with a mentor through the partnership. Some have only been in the program for a few months, while others have participated for more than a year, building relationships that will last a lifetime. “She has really become a part of the family,” Herron said of her daughter’s mentor. “I don’t think we could have picked a better person. She’s humble, extremely educated and to come across a young woman like that who is willing to give up her free time, you just have to be grateful.” The partnership between the chamber and Big Brothers/Big Sisters emerged from a series of meetings in 2005 with State Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) as a means of keeping kids away from gangs and on the path towards success. Since that time, at least 10 kids have been paired up with volunteers. In families where there is only one parent in the home, a mentor can be a very positive influence and offer youth an outlet and someone to confide in, according to Scott Wasserman, administrator for neighborhood and park initiatives. “Mentoring has always been recognized as the best practice for youth development and the idea is to provide a stable, adult mentor for a child to provide homework assistance, tutoring or just being a positive influence,”Wasserman said.“Most adult volunteers tend to be women … so we are looking for more guys.” Those looking to sign up can do so at the park or by calling the chamber or Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Becoming a big bro or big sis requires a substantial commitment. Volunteers are expected to do more than just take their kids to the movies or the beach. There’s homework assistance, evening phone calls, long conversations about family, financial struggles and puberty. That reality hit hard for big brother Thomas Khammar, an entrepreneur who runs two companies and has a girlfriend to spend time with in addition to his little brother Casey Hunter, an 11-year-old whose parents recently divorced. “One of my biggest struggles, at first, was asking myself if I really wanted to do this, if I had the time to give to Casey,” Khammar said. “You don’t ever want to let a kid down. I thought about it and decided to give it my all and it turned out to be a real blessing. “It forces me to relax and see life in a different light.” When the two are at the movies or riding go-carts, Khammar said all of his attention is focused on Hunter. “I look forward to hanging out with him,” Khammar said. “It takes my mind off stress at work. He just wants to have fun.” For the parents, the bond between their children and their big brothers and sisters has proven very beneficial. Their children are better behaved, perform well in school and seem to have a better attitude. “He’s so much happier. Loves to go out with his big brother and just can’t wait to see him,” said Leticia Tirado, whose 8-year-old son, Fortino, has been matched up with Brent Parsons, a real estate agent in Santa Monica. “He’s been getting a lot of advice and I like that because (Parsons) has a good career and everything going for him. “I would really love to see my son follow in his footsteps.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/041407-03_02.jpg) (Photo: Photo courtesy) *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 14, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/041407.pdf?ref=smdp.com)