Community | Spotlight January 2023

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (January 2023)

Big Brothers Big Sisters Asks Us All to Make the Big Resolution in 2023
Mentoring organization is recruiting new volunteers to become Bigs.  Visit www.bbbs.org and become a mentor, today.

January is National Mentoring Month, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is celebrating those who are already volunteering as mentors, “Bigs”, and recruiting volunteers.

Big Brother Corey (left) and Little Brother Brezden (right)

At some point in life, everyone can trace a piece of who they are to a special relationship they had. This could be with a sibling, a parent, a friend, a professor, or any other person who has been a mentor. The non-profit organization Big Brothers Big Sisters gives kids in need an opportunity to create this type of relationship with a volunteer.  And in the Black community, the need for caring mentors, both men and women, is needed now more than ever.

January is National Mentoring Month, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is celebrating those who are already volunteering as mentors, “Bigs”, and recruiting volunteers.

The news is full of the same stories: people are trying to eat more healthfully, hit the gym more often. This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is changing that story and asking: What if this year, you could resolve to something more important, more impactful? What if you could make a resolution worth keeping, one that inspires more resolutions? In 2023, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is asking people all across America to resolve to become a Big Brother or Big Sister.

“Bettering yourself in the new year is a great goal,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters of America CEO Artis Stevens, “but we know people are also thinking about how to better their community and how to make sure that when they reflect on the year, they know they made a difference.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the country’s largest evidence-based mentoring organization. They are committed to continuously evaluating and improving the quality of the services they provide to youth. They evaluate their programming at the match level, agency level, and national level and their annual impact report provides an overview of their outcomes evaluation system, tools, and the most recent national data and trends.There are many young people waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister, and the only way to ensure they have someone to inspire them to reach their potential is for more adults to step up and volunteer to become Bigs. Being a Big means committing to spending a few hours a month with a young person doing things that you love to do, like playing basketball, visiting the library, or learning how to cook.

Big Sister Selina (left) and Little Sister Shenia (right)

What mattered to the children were not the activities, but the fact that they had a caring adult in their lives. Because they had someone to confide in and to look up to, they were, in turn, doing better in school and at home. And at a time in their lives when even small choices can change the course of their future, the Littles were also avoiding violence and substance abuse.

Bounce is proud to partner with this important community organization and we ask you to consider making a difference in the lives of young people. Sign up to be a mentor or donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters and make a lasting impact on youth in the black community.

Visit www.bbbs.org to find your local Big Brothers Big Sisters office.

Sources/Image Credits: Big Brothers Big Sisters of America