January is National Mentoring MonthSuccessful, Long-term Mentoring Helps the Entire CommunityBig Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County serves approximately 1,500 of Pinellas, Hernando, and Citrus County's most vulnerable children, mostly those of single, low-income or incarcerated parents. January is a time when Big Brothers Big Sisters celebrates its Bigs. Coming off one of the most challenging fundraising years ever, this year they also want to use this opportunity to pay tribute to their donors, the often unsung heroes whose funding makes possible the professional match support and structure that bring people together and help sustain their mentoring matches over time. At Big Brothers Big Sisters, they know that longer matches yield strong results for their Littles - improvements in academic performance, behavior and relationships at home and elsewhere, according to independent studies. Mentoring Month is a big one for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas, Hernando, and Citrus Counties, a time when many parents get their children signed up and lots of volunteers come forward to help. Big Brothers Big Sisters expect that to be especially true this month with economic circumstances creating a greater need for more families to have professionally backed long-term mentoring support. The good news is that many men and women who want to help and don't have time to mentor can make it possible for Big Brothers Big Sisters to have the necessary match support to make more matches possible. Donations of all sizes help, whether from corporations, private foundations, government or individuals. National Mentoring Month is spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project of the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, and the Corporation for National and Community Service with the understanding that mentoring "assures brighter futures for our young people." The goal of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County is to become the extra support that so many parents seek - to help their children succeed and break negative cycles too often linked to young people who grow up in poverty and single-parent homes. It is a worthwhile investment that has dividends for the entire community. To all Bigs, families, corporate and educational partners, and individual donors who are a part of their network, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County thanks you for working together to help Pinellas, Hernando, and Citrus County's children. Learn how you can be a part of our work by going to www.bbbspc.org or by calling 727-518-8860.
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