Philanthropy SA Podcast · Philanthropy SA Podcast

Philanthropy SA Episode 40 - Hugh Farr with Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas

·32 min·2 clips

Hugh Farr says Big Brothers Big Sisters gave him direct contact with young people and a deeper sense of calling.

Dan Redman opens the conversation by welcoming Hugh Farr to the show. Hugh is the chief development officer at Big Brothers, Big Sisters of South Texas. The talk starts with family history instead of organization speak. Hugh says his parents both attended Trinity University, then spent a number of years living in Spain after graduating. He jokes that he arrived and crashed the party before the family moved back to Texas. That gives the interview a personal feel before it turns to the organization’s mission. The episode is aimed at the philanthropic community in San Antonio and South Texas, where the show highlights people and groups making an impact. Hugh talks about the human side of mentoring. A young person may not have had much good role modeling at home. A big can show what a healthy relationship looks like from the outside. That kind of example can make future possibilities feel a little more real. Even something as ordinary as eating at a fast food restaurant can stop feeling like a special occasion. Hugh points to the way a mentor can help a little picture a different life. He gives one example of a big who used a stock trade exercise to teach young people about saving and wealth-building. The point is not theory. It is about seeing a path forward and practicing it with someone beside you. He also spends time on how the organization supports volunteers. The team works with people so they can become effective mentors. Questions come up, and the staff tries to help volunteers get what they need. Hugh says nobody is perfect and that everyone involved comes to the work needing something. The relationship is not one-way. The littles often end up inspiring the bigs more than expected. Dan keeps the conversation grounded in the practical side of service. The tone stays warm and conversational, with a few light asides before it returns to substance. Near the end, the episode moves toward the usual sign-off and a clear invitation to visit bigmentor.org. The closing lands as a simple ask to learn more and understand how mentoring works on the ground.

As heard by us

A grounded conversation about mentoring, volunteer support, and the mutual value of Big Brothers, Big Sisters work in South Texas.

Philanthropy Essay follows Hugh Farr, Chief Development Officer at Big Brothers, Big Sisters of South Texas, through a practical talk about mentoring and the day to day work of keeping volunteers engaged.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a grounded look at mentorship in South Texas.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Philanthropy SA Podcast