Volunteers give four hours a month to a child in need

GREEN BAY, WI — Do you remember who taught you how to swing bat? Who always told you to never give up? Or that special person who always cheered you on? Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Wisconsin is not your typical organization. BBBS helps children realize their potential through one-on-one mentoring, creating those lasting memories.

The organization, which served a record high of 602 children in Brown, Door and Shawano counties last year, is growing and we need the community’s help to meet the need for mentors. Right now, there are 83 children waiting to be matched, more than half of which are boys. Boys and girls often wait nine to 10 months before they are matched due to the shortage of mentors.

Big Brothers Big Sisters often sees an influx of children enrolling in fall, and because of that, in addition to the existing waiting list, Big Brothers Big Sisters needs volunteers to sign up during the summer months.

“Anyone who has the desire to help a child, and have a little fun along the way, can be a mentor,” says Mary Malcore-Miller, program director.

Malcore-Miller says of adults of any age, even retirees, make great mentors. The program serves children ages 7 to 13 who typically are matched with an adult that can meet at school or in the community. BBBSNEW also works with school districts including Southern Door, Denmark, Howard-Suamico and Pulaski, where sophomores can mentor a child in the elementary schools through their senior year.

“Mentoring makes such an incredible impact on the life of a child, and the mentor gets a lot out of it too,” Malcore-Miller says. “A lot of Bigs say they enjoy sharing their life experiences with a younger person.”

Get started today! Contact Big Brothers Big Sisters at 920-498-2227 or info@bbbsnew.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Wisconsin is the premier youth mentoring organization serving Brown, Door and Shawano counties, recognized nationally for quality in 2017. Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally-supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Founded in 1972, we are a 100 percent donor and volunteer supported nonprofit organization.

MEDIA CONTACT 
Joy Wick, Marketing and Communications Director
920-489-3536 Office
920-585-1403 Cell
Email: joyw@bbbsnew.org