January is National Mentoring Month

Big Brothers Big Sisters Needs Support to Help

More Kids Beat the Odds

In recognition of National Mentoring Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine is calling on not only volunteers, but donors as well, to provide support for thousands of children who need mentors.  Big Brothers Big Sisters is the nation’s largest donor-supported volunteer network of long-term mentors for youth, providing matching, screening and ongoing support for “Bigs,” “Littles,” and families.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine is one of the network’s nearly 400 agencies helping about 255,000 Littles succeed in and out of school.

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. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a lead partner.

“Our priority and what differentiates Big Brothers Big Sisters is our commitment to providing long-term mentoring, resulting in proven positive educational and social outcomes, improving kids' chances to succeed,” said Alex Gaeth, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine.  “Donors enable Big Brothers Big Sisters' quality staff, backed by proven support systems and structures, to provide ongoing support for "Littles," their families and "Bigs," from before each match is made, throughout the course of the mentoring friendship.”

Independent research finds Littles are more likely than their peers to have better school attendance and improvements in behavior -- avoiding violence and illegal activities -- and they are more likely to have stronger relationships at home and elsewhere.

Boys disproportionately represent Littles ready to be matched with Bigs.  This month, with emphasis on mentoring, the organization is expecting a surge in volunteers.  The hope is that donations will come in as well, so that all Bigs and Littles who are ready to be matched can begin a long, successful mentoring match, supported by Big Brothers Big Sisters professionals who are committed to helping vulnerable children beat the odds.