Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) – Big Brothers Big Sisters has been an integral piece of the Western New York community for several years, utilizing different mentoring models to work with children from the region that need an additional support system in their lives.
The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to “create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.”
Last year in Western New York, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier served over 300 kids within its footprint, and is looking to increase that number significantly this year. Not only are they looking for volunteers to fill the role of mentor, they are also providing support for those who may have interest in becoming mentors for local kids.
“In the United States, 1-in-3 kids are growing up without a significant, consistent mentor in their life. Locally, that is true as well,” said Emily Mahoney, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier. “Currently, there are over 100 children waiting for a mentor within our program across the footprint of the areas we serve, but every day, we’re getting handfuls of people calling – whether it’s the parents, teachers, counselors – referring additional children, looking to get a mentor in the lives of kids who just need some extra support.”