Big Brothers Big Sisters Says ‘Thank you’ to the Mentoring Network’s Volunteers and Supporters

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Big Brothers Big Sisters will take time to recognize and thank its mentors and donors during National Volunteer Week 2009 (April 19-25) as record numbers of volunteer inquiries are creating an increased demand for money to mentor more children. Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies are holding community events throughout the week to recognize those who help some of America’s most vulnerable children beat the odds. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the nation’s largest network of volunteers providing mentoring to youth in America, serves children from single-parent homes, families living in poverty, and households where a parent is incarcerated. Independent research finds children mentored by Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers are more likely than their peers to be successful educationally and socially. Donations are used for volunteer recruitment, background checks, careful matching, continuous monitoring, ongoing match support, and dedicated service to volunteers, families and children to ensure positive outcomes. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America consistently receives a four out of four star rating from Charity Navigator for organizational efficiency and capacity. “With more families expected to face poverty, there is a greater need for the service our volunteers and professional staff provide. The good news for volunteers looking to mentor children in long-term professionally supported friendships is that individual donors, corporations and foundations are still committed to investing in top notch charities that make a difference and can prove it,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters of America President and CEO Judy Vredenburgh. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s supporters include, but are not limited to: Corporate Partners America Eagle Outfitters Arby’s Clinique Comcast Do it Best Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. HSBC Jack-In-the-Box Minor League Baseball Rent-A-Center Foundation Supporters The Annie E. Casey Foundation The ARAMARK Charitable Fund The Atlantic Philanthropies Bank of America Charitable Foundation Cargill Foundation The Duke Endowment The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation The FAO Schwarz Family Foundation The Goizueta Foundation MCJ Foundation MetLife Foundation Philip Morris USA, an Altria Company The UPS Foundation Wachovia The Walton Family Foundation William T. Grant Foundation Government Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention U.S. Department of Education U .S. Department of Health and Human Services Big Brothers Big Sisters helps vulnerable children beat the odds. The organization depends on donations to help recruit volunteers and reach more children. Funding is used to conduct background checks on volunteers to ensure child safety; and provide ongoing support for children, families and volunteers to build and sustain long-lasting relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven to improve children’s odds for succeeding in school, behaving nonviolently, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and breaking negative cycles. Headquartered in Philadelphia and with nearly 400 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than a quarter million children. Learn how you can change how children grow up in America by going to BigBrothersBigSisters.org.