Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Los Angeles

Louis Dresser is a Male Role Model for Young Boys

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Louis Desser is familiar with the need for a male role model in a young boy's life. Having lost his father when he was young, Lou knew what it was like to grow up without a father and began looking for an opportunity to make a difference for a child in the same situation. In 2005, he began researching the mentoring organization that he was most familiar with, as a long-time resident of Los Angeles - the Jewish Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Los Angeles (JBBBSLA). Learning that JBBBSLA had been securing matches for 90 years, Lou knew he had come to the right place.

Around that same time, Jonah Goldman, then age 7, now 8, and his mother, Jory, were reaching out to JBBBSLA to find a Big Brother for Jonah, who's father died when he was only five years old.

During the initial matching process, Lou and Jonah had to individually fill out what they affectionately refer to as the "worksheet." After disclosing their likes and interests, JBBBSLA discovered that their similarities went well beyond the circumstances surrounding their childhood. Spending every other weekend attending Los Angeles Dodger games, Los Angeles Clippers games, as well as playing catch, baseball and tossing around a Frisbee, it becomes increasingly clear why these two sports fans get along so well - they relate to each other through their love of sports.

Spending time with Jonah makes Lou reflect on his own life. "I'm reminded of what it was like to be a kid," said Louis. "And I know what it's like to grow up without a father, and I think that every child should have a father figure or Big Brother to look out for them."

JBBBSLA has been securing matches like Lou and Jonah for over 90 years, and utilizes professional assessment and mentor training administered by licensed clinicians to create a trustworthy and secure environment for the children and families involved. Matches are not gender specific, and the agency boasts a 5-year average match duration - almost 5 times longer than the national average - but also houses matches that have lasted longer than 60 years. The average commitment is about twice a month, and time spent together is often a great excuse for the pair to take part in activities that they may not otherwise experience.

For Lou and Jonah, in addition to their love for athletics and sporting events, they find their way to various educational destinations as well, including museums, the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, and zoos. Having the chance to admire dinosaur bones and various rocks and minerals - Jonah especially likes the gold - in addition to catching a baseball game, gives them the opportunity to have discussions about everything from players on a sports team to scientific discoveries. "When you ask Jonah a question, he doesn't just blurt out an answer, he stops and thinks about it intelligently," said Lou. "But my favorite thing about Jonah is his thoughtfulness...he's good to the people around him, and, more than anything, that's why I enjoy spending time with him...he is a kid that I would be proud to have as my son."