Shelia Scott Fitzgerald is president of the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters, which serves Greater Richmond, the Tri-Cities, the Peninsula and Hampton Roads.

The Richmond native became involved with BBBS nine years ago because its mission resonated with her.

That mission: To provide children facing adversity with​ strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change lives.

During her tenure as board president, Ms. Fitzgerald wants to help raise BBBS’ profile to grow public awareness and promote what they are doing to the larger community.

“I don’t see enough exposure about BBBS in general. We need to get more press about our activities,” Ms. Fitzgerald says. “We are looking for individuals who are ready to do something big. A person’s commitment of just one hour a week to be a role model to a young person in the community will help that youth realize their potential and achieve their best possible future.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters has school and community-based programs. The school based program, she explains, involves one-to-one lunch or after-school mentoring in a structured environment “to build caring school climates and to create consistent, meaningful interactions between Bigs and Littles,” as she calls the adult mentors and the young people they work with.

The community-based program is the more traditional one-to-one mentoring outside of school that “allows youths to ignite and harness their potential by building a positive relationship with their Big and engaging with the world around them,” she says.

Typically, young people involved in the program show academic improvement and a boost in social skills after participating with a Big Brother or Big Sister for 12 months.

Last year, BBBS served 562 children, with the largest concentration living in the Greater Richmond area. Still, she says, 350 youngsters are on the wait list to be matched with an adult. More than 70 percent on the wait list are boys, the majority of whom are African-American or Latino, Ms. Fitzgerald says. “So there is an urgent need for men, especially men of color, to become defenders of potential by applying to become Big Brothers,” she says.

The organization tries to match Big Brothers and Big Sisters with young people who live within 15 minutes or 15 miles, Ms. Fitzgerald explains. But if the adults don’t mind traveling a greater distance, then the organization can accommodate them.

In January, which was National Mentoring Month, the organization sponsored “30 Bigs in 30 Days,” in which the goal was to recruit 30 male mentors.

“Presently, we are working with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,” Ms. Fitzgerald says, noting the fraternity is encouraging its members to become Big Brothers. She says a large number of youngsters on the waiting list live in Richmond’s East End.

In 2010, Ms. Fitzgerald became a “Big” with her first “Little,” Alyssa. Ms. Fitzgerald says she learned there were certain things she should not take for granted about what her “Little” should know. “What was normal for my life was not necessarily normal for Alyssa or other children’s lives.

“The first time she came to my home and I put dishes in the dishwasher, Alyssa asked me what was that. She had never seen a dishwasher before that day. That shocked me because, not only did she not have a dishwasher, she had not been anywhere that a dishwasher was used.”

Similarly, she says she talked with her Little Sister about going to college, but was told that was an impossibility because the family had no money for college.

“Some of us Bigs have not walked in the shoes of our Littles,” Ms. Fitzgerald says. “So we don’t always understand where they are coming from, and conversely, they have not walked in our shoes either.”

While BBBS relies on grants, corporate donations and funding from United Way, Ms. Fitzgerald says increased support will help the nonprofit help more youngsters. Upcoming fundraisers include Bowl for Kids’ Sake on March 8 at AMF Bowling, 6540 W. Broad St., and March 9 at the Hopewell Bowling Center, 115 S. 15th St. in Hopewell.

And every Monday in March, Lemaire restaurant at The Jefferson in Downtown will donate a portion of its proceeds to BBBS.

“Our youths are our future,” Ms. Fitzgerald says. “If we don’t invest in them, who will?”

Meet this week’s Personality and children’s advocate, Shelia Scott Fitzgerald:

No. 1 volunteer position: President of the board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Occupation: Retired senior financial analyst for Altria Client Services. 

Date and place of birth: July 14 in Richmond.

Current residence: Henrico County.

Education: Armstrong High School; bachelor’s in accounting, Virginia Union University; and Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Family: Two sons, Justin and Jeffrey, and grandson, Langston, 2.

Foremost mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters: To have a positive impact and connect with as many youths as possible to ensure that they know they have a purpose in life and that all they have to do is believe in themselves and their dreams.  

When I became involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters: I became involved nine years ago after my sons completed college. I knew that I would always be involved with this organization because of the contribution and effect you can have on a youth. I had one little for six years until she moved out of the Richmond area. We remained in contact after she moved. I feel that I got just as much from our relationship as she did.

What Big Brothers Big Sisters means to me: It makes me feel like I am contributing to the community when I have a positive impact on a Little and see them reach their potential.

Operation Bigs is:  A program that provides Bigs (mentors) to children of military families in the Hampton Roads area. Military kids and their families face unique challenges that may include separation and loss in addition to the stresses of military life. BBBS wants to support the children of those who defend our country.   

How one can volunteer: Visit our website, www.bigbrobigsis.com, or call (804) 261-4940.

What motivated me to get involved in community service: Seeing kids not being giving the opportunity to succeed because they had no one telling them that anything is possible and being there to support and encourage them in their successes and pick them up in their failures.

How I start the day: With prayer to thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to see one more day and having a positive attitude.  

A perfect day for me is: Beautiful weather so that I can play outside with my grandson or a beautiful day at a beach on a Caribbean island.

If I had more time, I would: Mentor more than one child.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Plan parties and coordinate trips.

Kindergarten taught me: To work hard, always do my best and believe in myself.

A quote that I am inspired by: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:13 and “Your decisions control your destiny.”

My friends describe me as:  Determined and passionate about anything that I get involved with.

How I unwind: Relaxing in a Jacuzzi or hot tub with jazz music. 

At the top of my to-do list is: Continue to be committed to BBBS and travel more.

The person who influenced me the most: My mother, Helen Scott, and my grandmother, Florence Walker.

Book that influenced me the most: “Sacred Pampering Principles: An African-American Women’s Guide to Self-Care and Inner Renewal” by Debrena Jackson Gandy and “A Woman’s True Purpose — Live Life Like You Matter” by Nicole NaBeach.

What I’m reading now: “Becoming” by Michelle Obama. 

Next goal: After I complete my term as board president, to be matched with another Little so that I can continue to influence the lives of our youths who are our future.