We need your help to serve 1,200 kids in 2016

Play catch… Go to the movies… Bake cookies… Laugh… Dream…

Kids in need of a mentor don’t have huge plans for what they’d like to do with a Big Brother or Big Sister. Rather, would-be Littles want to do normal, everyday things with their Bigs. And that’s why Big Brothers Big Sisters is undertaking a new recruitment campaign:

It’s the Simple Stuff. Be a Big.

Often people are under the impression that they have to go on elaborate, possibly expensive, outings with the child they are mentoring. But the reality is far from this. Kids are looking for someone to hang out with them, listen to them, talk to them. Bigs can teach their Littles a new game, cook their favorite meal, or just take a walk and talk.

While it may not seem like much, these simple get-togethers lead to impressive outcomes for the children. Research shows that after being paired with their Big for one year:

• 96.6% of Littles had improved self-esteem and increased positive community/school involvement; 
• 91% of Littles were less likely to engage in activities that could limit their future success; 
• 90% of Littles performed better in school and weremore confident in their ability to succeed.

Our goal is to provide 1,200 children with mentors during 2016. The goal is within reach, but your help is needed to ensure the target is achieved. We need men, women, families, and couples to come forward to commit to mentor a local child for at least one year.

Do you know that families and couples can volunteer together? This is a fantastic way to make a positive difference in the life of a local child – do what you normally do as a family or couple, just do it with your Little.

I invite you to learn about becoming a Big Brother, Big Sister, Big Family, or Big Couple by calling 269-382-6800, emailing customerrelations@bbbsmi.org or visiting ThinkBigToday.org.

It really doesn’t take much to make a huge impact on a child’s life. It really is the simple stuff that matters