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Big Brothers Big Sisters Expands Programs for At-Risk Students and Children of Prisoners Nation’s Leading Youth-Mentoring Organization Redoubles Efforts to Match 1 Million Children
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Aug 20, 2005, 18:15

(ARA) - As it embarks on its second century of service, Big Brothers Big Sisters has renewed commitments to serve more than 1 million at-risk children annually by expanding its youth mentoring program to reach the most at-risk children nationwide, including students in Title I schools and children of prisoners.
“More than 10 million children between the ages of 6 and 18 are considered at-risk, but it’s the youth from economically underprivileged backgrounds or with incarcerated or formerly incarcerated parents who are most in need of our support,” said Judy Vredenburgh, CEO and president of Big Brothers Big Sisters, the oldest, largest, and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. “Research has shown that these two groups of children can benefit greatly from a Big Brother or Big Sister.”

At a recent press conference on Capitol Hill, television star Kelly Perdew, winner of NBC-TV’s “The Apprentice,” joined Vredenburgh in calling on all Americans to support Big Brothers Big Sisters. Perdew encouraged Americans to make financial donations and to volunteer their time in order to help the organization reach its goal of 1 million matches annually.

Perdew became a Big Brother shortly after he graduated from UCLA. As the oldest of five children, Perdew missed the experience of interacting with a young person on a regular basis.

“Becoming a Big Brother was a terrific experience,” said Perdew, who was matched with his Little Brother for 14 months. “I really enjoyed the one-on-one interaction and seeing the direct impact I could have on a young man's life.”

With its initiatives targeting children of prisoners and students, Big Brothers Big Sisters is hoping to reach children who are considered among the nation’s most at-risk.

School-Based Mentoring

In the school-based mentoring program, teachers and guidance counselors identify students who can benefit most from interaction with a caring adult. Those students are matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister who will spend at least one hour a week with their match during the school day.

Research shows that students who are matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister display improved academic performance, higher levels of self-confidence, and better attitudes toward school.

The relationship also helps to promote a positive school experience for the child. Improved attendance, positive peer and adult relationships, a positive attitude, and academic enrichment are among the outcomes of a school-based match that teachers have observed.

Mentoring Children of Prisoners

While Big Brothers Big Sisters has always served children with incarcerated parents, the organization made a concerted effort to focus on children of prisoners in 2001, with the creation of a groundbreaking Philadelphia-based program called Amachi Big Brothers Big Sisters. That program matches church congregants with children of prisoners. (Amachi is a West African word that means “who knows but what God has brought us through this child.”) Amachi is one of the vehicles by which Big Brothers Big Sisters serves children of prisoners.

“Without positive adult intervention, studies show that seven out of ten children with incarcerated parents will at some point be incarcerated themselves,” said Vredenburgh. “Through partnerships with juvenile justice officials and congregations, this initiative can break this cycle of incarceration.”

For more information about BBBS, to make a donation, to support a Big and Little match, or to become a volunteer, visit www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org. Courtesy of ARA Content

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