Meadville
Pennsylvania
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Big Brothers and Sisters
History :
The Big Brothers/Big Sisters Movement began at the turn of the century, when concerned citizens in many American cities organized programs to stem the rising tide of juvenile delinquency, and to help children who had come before the courts. Over the years, however, the approach increasingly shifted from reclamation to prevention.
By 1917, the Movement had spread to so many communities that the national organization, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Federation, was organized. The Federation existed until 1937, when is became a victim of the Great depression. In 1945, a national federation for Big Brothers agencies, Big Brothers of America was formed. A similar organization, Big Sisters International, Inc. was formed in 1970 to serve Big Sisters agencies. In 1977, the two national organizations merged to create today's Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America.
A Record of Success
For more than eighty-five years, these ONE-TO-One friendships have helped many children through the most challenging and crucial times of their lives. Increasing numbers of concerned parents are recognizing that while a Big Brother or Big Sister is not a substitute parent - he or she is an ally who can help a child through the challenges in the Big Brother /Big Sister approach.
No mere statistic can adequately relay the unique value and life changing impact that a Big Brother or Big Sister has on a youngster. Across the county, more than 75,000 children are matched in a ONE-TO-ONE relationship with an volunteer.
Agencies also provide an array of counseling, referral, and family support services to the parents and children in over 110,000 families each year.
Additional programs focus on children with special needs, including the handicapped, learning disabled, and school dropouts, as well as those who are abused and neglected. Special prevention and intervention programs at many agencies address the problems of drug abuse, teen pregnancy, foster care, and juvenile delinquency.
Volunteers Needed
More than 15 million children in the United States are growing up in single-parent families. their numbers are increasing each year, and the patterns of instability and upheaval in family life are expected to continue. the census Bureau predicts that nearly one of every four children today can expect to live in a single-parent home prior to his or her eighteenth birthday.
Not every child from a single-parent home needs a Big Brother or Big Sister. Many can rely on the support of other family members, perhaps an uncle, aunt or grandparent. But for an estimated one fifth of single-parent children such support does not exist. Single parents who must work and maintain a household, and who often have more than one child, may not have the time and energy to fulfill each child's needs. And so for them, Big Brothers and Big Sisters can provide the support and friendship necessary...they can be that role model or mentor so important to today's at-risk children.
Nearly 40,000 children are waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister. Although many agencies conduct interim recreational or educational programs for these children, the need for volunteer is great. In many communities minority men and women are especially needed. If you can help, please contact us today.
The Big Brothers/Big Sisters Movement began at the turn of the century, when concerned citizens in many American cities organized programs to stem the rising tide of juvenile delinquency, and to help children who had come before the courts. Over the years, however, the approach increasingly shifted from reclamation to prevention.
By 1917, the Movement had spread to so many communities that the national organization, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Federation, was organized. The Federation existed until 1937, when is became a victim of the Great depression. In 1945, a national federation for Big Brothers agencies, Big Brothers of America was formed. A similar organization, Big Sisters International, Inc. was formed in 1970 to serve Big Sisters agencies. In 1977, the two national organizations merged to create today's Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America.
A Record of Success
For more than eighty-five years, these ONE-TO-One friendships have helped many children through the most challenging and crucial times of their lives. Increasing numbers of concerned parents are recognizing that while a Big Brother or Big Sister is not a substitute parent - he or she is an ally who can help a child through the challenges in the Big Brother /Big Sister approach.
No mere statistic can adequately relay the unique value and life changing impact that a Big Brother or Big Sister has on a youngster. Across the county, more than 75,000 children are matched in a ONE-TO-ONE relationship with an volunteer.
Agencies also provide an array of counseling, referral, and family support services to the parents and children in over 110,000 families each year.
Additional programs focus on children with special needs, including the handicapped, learning disabled, and school dropouts, as well as those who are abused and neglected. Special prevention and intervention programs at many agencies address the problems of drug abuse, teen pregnancy, foster care, and juvenile delinquency.
Volunteers Needed
More than 15 million children in the United States are growing up in single-parent families. their numbers are increasing each year, and the patterns of instability and upheaval in family life are expected to continue. the census Bureau predicts that nearly one of every four children today can expect to live in a single-parent home prior to his or her eighteenth birthday.
Not every child from a single-parent home needs a Big Brother or Big Sister. Many can rely on the support of other family members, perhaps an uncle, aunt or grandparent. But for an estimated one fifth of single-parent children such support does not exist. Single parents who must work and maintain a household, and who often have more than one child, may not have the time and energy to fulfill each child's needs. And so for them, Big Brothers and Big Sisters can provide the support and friendship necessary...they can be that role model or mentor so important to today's at-risk children.
Nearly 40,000 children are waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister. Although many agencies conduct interim recreational or educational programs for these children, the need for volunteer is great. In many communities minority men and women are especially needed. If you can help, please contact us today.