 |
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. The organization's mission is to help children, ages five through 18, reach their highest potential through professionally supported one-to-one relationships. Trained professionals recruit, screen, match and support Big and Little Brothers and Sisters through a network of 470 agencies through the country. These one-to-one mentoring relationships between caring adults and children have documented positive outcomes for the children. The Big Brothers Big Sisters initiative traces its roots to New York City in 1904. Ernest Coulter, a clerk of the juvenile court, was appalled by the suffering of the thousands of children who repeatedly came through the court system. At a meeting of the civic and business leaders on December 3, 1904, Coulter appealed to the 39 men present to take on the role of a "Big Brother". All 39 men stepped forward, creating the first Big Brothers organization. In the decades to follow, Big Brothers Big Sisters programs sprang up throughout the country and today, Big Brothers Big Sisters is the leading youth mentoring organization in the United States serving more than 220,000 children, ages five through 18, in 5,000 communities across all 50 states. It is our goal to serve one million children annually by 2010. Research and anecdotal evidence show that Little Brothers and Sisters are less likely to do drugs, drink alcohol, skip school or engage in acts of violence. They have greater self esteem, more success at school and better relationships with their friends and families than their peers not in the program. Big Brothers and Big Sisters are all kinds of people---from high school and college students to business people and retirees---who volunteer to spend time with children. Bigs sometime spend as little as one hour each week with a child in need. Through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, both the child and the adult share everyday experiences that enrich the lives of all involved. The Big Brother program was established in Sussex County in 1969 through the initiative of Rosemary Trythall, a single mother with two sons who were growing up without the influence of a male role model. In August 1977 the Big Sister program was added and the agency became known as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sussex County. It earned full member status with the national organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America in 1982. Since that time Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sussex County has grown and expanded its services adding new and different mentoring programs to better meet the needs of the children and volunteers in the community. It is one of Sussex County's oldest non-profit agencies and maintains a unique and unrivaled position as being the only county agency providing a prevention program exclusively for youth. Although some services for children may be offered as one of many programs through other agencies, 100% of BBBS programs are specifically and solely developed for youth and use a prevention model rather than focusing on crisis intervention. Big Brothers Big Sisters believes that by providing children with the important developmental assets they need to acquire as they grow up, potential problems will be avoided. The success and need for Big Brothers Big Sisters approach is clearly reflected in the longevity of the BBBS program in the county and in the nation. Funding for the Sussex County program comes from a variety of sources. The New Jersey Department of Human Services and the Department of Community Affairs provide grant money directly to the agency and through the New Jersey Association of Big Brothers Big Sisters Agencies, of which BBBS Sussex County is an active member. United Way of Sussex County has also been a long time supporter, as has the County of Sussex. To support the on-going need for services, however, BBBS Sussex County has had to depend heavily upon the local community for direct donations and for support of its fundraising events. Approximately 37% of the agency's annual budget is a result of donations and fundraisers. Rooted in a strong and solid past and guided by a clear mission of making a positive difference in the lives of children, BBBS of Sussex County focuses on growth and quality programming as it looks forward to being able to expand its mentoring programs and to provide a mentor for every Sussex County child in need. With the support of committed volunteers and the local community this vision can become a reality.
|
  |