Rich Lindgren found himself at a personal crossroads. He had spent many years volunteering for what he considered a worthwhile charitable organization, but no longer felt as though his time was being properly invested.
“I was looking for something that was going to make an impact and also be rewarding,” said Lindgren, a San Marino resident. “And boy, did I find it.”
A friend familiar with the program recommended Big Brothers, and while he was at an age that might be considered a little too advanced for the mentorship program, Lindgren decided to roll the dice.
“I admit I was a little reticent at first,” said Lindgren, who was 65 years old when he eventually signed up through Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles County in January, 2012. “I had actually started looking into it a year earlier. But then I just spoke with other Big Brothers and decided to jump in.”
One, Mike Trueblood, of La Cañada, may have provided the best possible advice.
“He said that the program was really rewarding,” Lindgren said. “It depends on what you are looking for, but if you want to see tangible outcomes, this is all good.”
After a lengthy application and screening process, Lindgren was “matched’ in the Big Brother lexicon, to Bryan, a then-6th grader living in Pasadena. And while there are many fascinating chapters to their story, earlier this year Lindgren was named Big Brother of the Year for the Los Angeles County Chapter of Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters and has also been nominated for the same honor at the State and National levels as well.
“And to think back when I was once on the fence,” Lindgren told The Tribune. “I remember I was reading a book at the time that said it is our job as human beings to help others however we can, no matter how small it might seem. My message is that being a Big Brother is an experience that will test your ability to give. And giving is the most enjoyable experience you will ever have in your life.”
Lindgren helped Bryan navigate the often-turbulent waters of junior high and high school all the way to Cal Poly Pomona, where he is a freshman. The two are still in frequent contact.
“Rich is a significant person in my life because he’s always helped me achieve my goals,” Bryan said in an essay celebrating Rich’s Big Brother of the Year acknowledgement. “He’s kept me motivated throughout the years and has helped me with different subjects in school.”
Lindgren said that Bryan at first would say “maybe 25 words the entire time we were together”
Years later, Rich and Bryan visited the Verizon Innovation Center in Oakland and Airbnb headquarters in San Francisco. Bryan stood out to an Airbnb executive, and was the only young person who asked for his professional business card during a round table.
“This moment is a true testament to Rich’s influence on Bryan,” Big Brothers said in a statement. “He was able to confidently speak up in a group setting and make a connection. Rich has taught Bryan to push boundaries and see what professions are available for him. Through the years, we have watched Bryan mature and develop into a confident, young man who takes initiative in various social settings.”
“Not doing it will be wasting an opportunity,” said Lindgren, when asked for his message to anyone considering being a Big Brother. “If you want to be joyful and you want to know why we are here, you are going to get the answer—and are going to get it in spades. It is a giant reward. We get caught up in our own lives and we forget that there are other ways to give. This is a great place to do that. You can see that you are really having an impact on a young person’s life. If we could get more people to do this, we would solve a lot of problems at the beginning and not have to deal with the problems later.”
Lindgren revealed that he was most touched when Bryan mentioned that he wanted to be a mentor to other young people, a statement that validated Lindgren’s efforts.
“Everybody’s story is different, Lindgren said, “but there is a common thread: It’s all about connecting and growing together from that connection. People who enter a program like this are afraid that they are not going to be successful and I admit I felt that way in the beginning. You just have to take a deep breath and go do it.”
Lindgren also mentioned the financial challenges faced by Big Brothers and other similar organizations.
“I am surprised there are not more people involved, whether as volunteers or through financial support,” Lindgren said. “This program changes lives. Statistics say that it improves high school graduation rates and helps kids stay away from drugs, just by spending a little time together. It’s nothing, just a few hours.”
