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How can you make a difference in a child’s life through Big Brothers Big Sisters?

Make a Difference by Being a Mentor.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Michigan is sending out a challenge to the residents of Otsego and Crawford Counties. What can you do to make a difference in the life of a child? Back to school is right around the corner. That means Big Brothers Big Sisters will once again offer lunch time mentoring programs. Can you make a difference by being a “Lunch Buddy” mentor to one of these kids?

Could you make a difference by mentoring a child in a one to one relationship? Mentoring isn’t a scary word. Kathy Holmes, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Michigan explains, “Mentoring is passing on the good things you’ve already learned to someone who hasn’t quite learned them yet.” It truly makes a difference. Big Brothers Big Sisters reports that Littles who spend 18 months of time with their Bigs, compared to those children not in our program, were:

• 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
• 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
• 52% less likely to skip school
• 37% less likely to skip a class
• 33% less likely to hit someone

They also found that the Littles were more confident of their performance in schoolwork and getting along better with their families.

“We have known all along that Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mentoring has a long-lasting, positive effect on children’s confidence, grades, and social skills,” states Kathy Holmes, Local Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Executive Director, “and the results of this important study scientifically confirm that belief.”

“These dramatic findings are very good news, particularly at a time when many people contend that ‘nothing works’ in reaching teenagers,” said Gary Walker, then-President of Public/Private Ventures. “This program suggests a strategy the country can build on to make a difference, especially for youth in single-parent families.”