The oldest and largest youth-mentoring organization in the nation, Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay, has launched a recruiting campaign in Pasco County to find caring adult volunteer mentors who want to change the life of a child for the better.
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) boasts great success with the youth in its programs.
According to a press release, the organization in 2018 served 3,014 children, in Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties.
Of those children, known as “Littles,” who were matched with their mentors, called “Bigs,” for at least a year, 98 percent were promoted to the next grade level, and 98 percent had no involvement in the juvenile justice system.
The BBBS organization offers several programs to choose from in Pasco County, all which require only four hours to eight hours of volunteer work each month.
The community-based program enables the Big and Little to spend time together in the evening or on weekends to take part in an activity of their choosing.
The school-based program is for matches that would prefer to meet one hour each week at the child’s school during the academic year.
“This is a great opportunity to have a positive impact on our community,” said Deb Kristol-Irwin, director of partnerships for Pasco County.
She added, “For just a few hours each month, you can change the life of a child, build a lifelong relationship, and have a great time while you’re doing it.”
Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister can attend one of the orientation and training sessions, offered three times a month throughout Pasco County.
For a complete schedule, visit BBBSTampaBay.org and follow the Volunteer links.
No reservations are required to attend.
Published January 16, 2019
