Big Brothers Big Sisters Interview in Atlanta, GA

 

The Cool Roofing Company, the commerical roofing contractor from Atlanta, GA wants to share this non-profit organization interview.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta’s mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

Introduction

To begin with, we would like you to briefly tell us about your organization.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta pairs children facing adversity with a mentor.

 

1. What do you do exactly?

And what was the reason that encouraged you to start this organization?

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBSMA) has been serving the city since 1960. Its rich history is built on a national heritage more than 100 years old. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) was founded for the sole purpose of enriching the lives of children and helping them achieve their full potential through professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships.
In 1904, a young New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter was seeing more and more young boys come through his courtroom. He recognized that the positive influence of caring adults could result in many of these youths staying out of trouble. He set out to find volunteers to be the supportive friends and role models needed to help parents and children have the best opportunity to succeed in life. This marked the beginning of the “Big Brothers” movement. In only 12 years, Big Brothers spread across the country establishing a presence in 96 cities.

At around the same time, a group called “Ladies of Charity” was supporting young girls who had come through the New York Children’s Court. This group later became “Catholic Big Sisters.” Both worked independently until 1977, when “Big Brothers of America” and “Big Sisters International” joined forces and became “Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.” More than a century later, BBBS remains true to our founders’ vision by bringing caring mentors into the lives of children in all 50 states and in 12 countries around the world!
BBBSMA is one of the most successful and diverse affiliates. We are proud to continue enriching children’s lives allowing the next generation of Atlanta’s youth to be all they can be – one child at a time.

 

2. What motivates you?

Describe your mission passion

Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

We believe that one person can make a difference in a child’s life and has the potential to change that life. Our mentors become like family to their Littles.

 

3. What was the hardest/toughest moment you had to deal with?

Obstacles you faced when dealing with bureaucracy, permits, funding, etc. Something you would like to point out to anyone who might be starting their own organization.

 

      4.What separates you from the rest? Why you?

Big Brothers Big Sisters is different from other youth service organizations because the relationships that we create are professionally supported from day one. A Match Support Specialist is assigned to each match and keeps in touch with them on a regular basis to ensure that both parties are benefitting from the relationship.
This isn’t an after-school program; this is a lifelong relationship that the child will never forget.

 

5.Do you have any upcoming events in the forthcoming months?

Each year we have three major fundraising events: Bowl For Kid’s Sake in the spring, Bigs Swing Fore Littles in early summer, and our Legacy Awards Gala in September.
We also have our annual Big Appreciation Night in January.

 

     6.What is the biggest challenge you’re faced with today?

One of the biggest challenges we face is recruiting male volunteers to be mentors. We have around 400 boys waiting for a mentor.

 

Contact: How can people reach out to you?

Your organization’s name, phone, address, e-mail and links to your website and social media

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, (404) 601-7000, info@bbbsatl.org, @bbbsatl