Have you ever considered being a mentor? Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona have expanded their services to cover the city of Maricopa, and they need your help.
With the population growth of the city comes an increased need for programs such as this. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona, an organization aided by the United Way of Pinal County, has been in operation since 1955. In that time they have matched more than 25,000 children with Big Brother and Big Sister mentors.
The organization reports that the Little Brothers and Little Sisters involved in this program are:
· 27% less likely to start drinking
· 33% less likely than their peers to report hitting someone else
· 37% less likely to skip a class
· 46% less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs
· 52% less likely to skip a day of school
· Earning higher grades and feeling better about how they are doing in school
"We are excited to grow and serve this part of Arizona," said Jennifer Stevens, Director of Marketing and Communications for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona. "Mentoring is a wonderful way for volunteers to give back to the future of their community."
Previously serving only Maricopa County, Big Brothers Big Sisters recently branched out to cover Pinal County and northern Gila County. Currently there are only a handful of children from Maricopa involved in the program. Countywide there are already roughly 20 children on a waiting list to be matched with qualified mentors.
The goal of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to match 50 new Little Brothers and Little Sisters in Pinal County with their counterparts by July 2006. "We especially need male volunteers," states Alicia Kenney, Director of Programs for Big Brothers Big Sisters. "But we are happy to have any volunteer help." Residents of Maricopa would ideally be matched with children in Maricopa, but they may be needed in other nearby areas like Casa Grande or Ahwatukee.
Prospective mentors must be 18 years of age, have a valid driver's license and access to an insured vehicle. They must also have been a resident of the area for a minimum of three months. Becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister requires a minimum six-month commitment. Mentors are asked to meet with their Little Brother or Little Sister two to four times per month. Big Brothers Big Sisters also provides ongoing support to all its mentors, offering ideas and suggestions for activities.
Children involved in the program range in age from six to 15 years and come from varied family backgrounds. The children and their parents are also interviewed to make sure they are a good match for the program.
"One of the great things about being a mentor," says Kenney, "is seeing the child develop. It's cool to see the impact you have on this individual. Mentoring is so powerful! The volunteers get so much out of it, and it really helps the kids!"
In addition to needing volunteers for the mentoring program, Big Brothers Big Sisters has drop boxes and donation centers around the Valley where they accept donations of clothing and small household appliances. Donations help fund their valuable programs around the state.
For more information about donation centers, drop boxes or to become a Big Brother or Big Sister visit www.bbbsaz.org.
