Strengthening Community Through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona

The following material was provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona

Have you ever considered ways that you can strengthen your local community? As leaders of your cities, I would venture that the answer is, "Yes, of course!" One of the most profound -yet simple ways- to better our towns is by investing in the future of the children in our communities. To which you may respond, "Sure, that seems simple, but how do we really create sustaining change?" The answer is mentoring. By spending a few hours a month with a local child, you not only directly impact their life, but also the future success and strength of your city.

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona (BBBSAZ) mentoring is exactly what we do. Our mission is to provide Arizona children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better.

BBBSAZ currently has more than 300 kids on a wait list who want a mentor of their own; however, we just don't have the volunteer support that we need. Those on our wait list are mostly young boys, meaning we need your help to get this message to the right audience.

To make volunteering as easy as possible, we offer a variety of volunteer programs to accommodate even the busiest of schedules. In our community-based mentoring program, mentors ("Bigs") meet their mentees ("Littles") at least twice a month for one year, doing activities that they enjoy, such as going to the park to play basketball, checking out the local theater production, flying a kite, or just hanging out, eating pizza and watching a movie.

With the site-based program, BBBSAZ has partnered with local schools across the Valley, in which a Big meets at the Little's school a few times a month throughout the academic year. Matches hang out together on the playground, eat in the cafeteria, play kickball or a board game - whatever they want to do during the lunch hour. If you live or work near one of our partner sites, it makes volunteering super convenient, fun, and rewarding. We also offer family and couple matching, in which significant others and/or family members are all matched together to a child.

As role models in your communities, please consider the vast impact you have on sharing the critical need for mentors throughout our Valley. Help us spread the word to your citizens and your councils. Leverage your influence to erase the wait list so deserving kids have a chance to experience life outside their own. When Littles are exposed to different lifestyles, they gain a new perspective which often leads to better decision making and improved life choices.

Improve your communities for good by placing a caring, consistent adult role model in the life of those youth looking for positive guidance. Need proof? BBBSAZ is celebrating its 60th anniversary, while Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is more than 100 years old! Third-party, scientific research proves that the BBBSAZ specific mentoring model works, because trained professionals carefully screen, match, and monitor all matches throughout the life of the friendship.

To start making your town a better place for all, contact BBBSAZ's Community Relations Specialist, Allie Gunter, at agunter@bbbsaz.org or 602-393-4100. Additional information is found at www.bbbsaz.org

Please note: BBBS of Central Arizona branch serves all of Maricopa County as well as parts of Gila & Pinal Counties. If your city or town is outside the service area of BBBS of Central Arizona, please contact Allie (at the contact information above) and she will put you in touch with representatives from BBBS braches that serve your city or town.
 

League of Arizona Cities and Towns
1820 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ  85007
Phone: 602-258-5786
Fax: 602-253-3874
http://www.azleague.org

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