CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners proclaimed January as Big Brothers Big Sisters month in support of its local efforts for National Mentoring Month at Tuesday’s regular meeting.
Nicole Norris, a case manager with Big Brothers Big Sisters, said the program received a grant back in October. She said that in 2012, their slogan is to “Start Something Big,” and they want to double the number of children served within the county.
Norris said that at the present time, Clearfield’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program serves 30 children, and they’re shooting to touch the lives of at least 60 children by year’s end.
“But that means we need volunteers to spend time with children,” she said, adding they only ask mentors to spend time with their child three times a month, which comes out to about nine hours. “We want to give them the role model that they so desperately need.
According to the proclamation, the county is proud of its strong community commitment and recognizes the need to support children. Further, the county’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program is committed to providing children with adult mentors.
The proclamation stated that in 2011, Big Brothers Big Sisters served more than 250 individuals in Clearfield County. In addition, children who are in professionally supported mentoring relationships with Big Brothers Big Sisters are:
- 46 percent less likely to begin using illegal drugs;
- 27 percent less likely to begin using alcohol;
- 52 percent less likely to skip school; and
- 37 percent less likely to skip a class.
These children are more confident of their performance in schoolwork, one-third less likely to hit someone and get along better with their families, according to the proclamation.
“One mentor can change a life forever. We encourage all citizens to dedicate their time and talents to mentoring a young person. By providing help and hope to our youth, mentors help foster a more compassionate society that values every life and leaves no child behind,” the proclamation states.
Norris said that information nights will be held at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12, Jan. 26, Feb. 9, Feb. 23, March 8 and March 22 at the Children’s Aid Society located at 1008 South Second St., Clearfield. For additional information, please e-mail bbbs@childaid.org or call 814-765-2687.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clearfield County, a program of Children’s Aid Society, has been a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America since 1991 and has operated a mentoring program since 1986.
