January is National Mentoring Month

Gainesville, FL (January 1, 2010) – In recognition of National Mentoring Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters is calling on not only volunteers, but donors as well, to provide support for hundreds of children in Alachua county who need mentors.  Big Brothers Big Sisters is the nation’s largest donor-supported volunteer network of long-term mentors for youth, providing matching, screening and ongoing support for “Bigs,” “Littles,” and families. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida is one of the network’s nearly 400 agencies helping about 255,000 Littles — primarily children of single, low-income and incarcerated parents – succeed in and out of school.

National Mentoring Month is spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project of the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a lead partner. Last month the U.S. Senate officially recognized January as National Mentoring Month 2010 with a resolution introduced by Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and John Kerry (D-MA).

“Our priority and what differentiates Big Brothers Big Sisters is our commitment to providing long-term mentoring, resulting in proven positive educational and social outcomes, improving kids’ chances to succeed,” said Paul Halpern, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida.  “Donors enable Big Brothers Big Sisters’ quality staff, backed by proven support systems and structures, to provide ongoing support for “Littles,” their families and “Bigs,” from before each match is made, throughout the course of the mentoring friendship.”

Independent research finds Littles are more likely than their peers to have better school attendance and improvements in behavior – avoiding violence and illegal activities – and they are more likely to have stronger relationships at home and elsewhere.

Boys disproportionately represent Littles ready to be matched with Bigs.  This month, with emphasis on mentoring, the organization is expecting a surge in volunteers. Even those individuals who cannot commit to mentoring a child may still support this valuable community organization by participating in the Bowl For Kids Sake fundraiser this Spring.