Big Brothers, Big Sisters Celebrates National Mentoring Month By Honoring Bigs and Focusing on the “MEN” in Mentoring
Charlottesville, VA –January marks the 15th anniversary of National Mentoring Month, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge (“BBBS”) is planning to both honor its current volunteer mentors during this special time and raise awareness about the ever-present need for more caring adults.
In partnership with Starr Hill Brewery, we’re kicking off the celebration of our current mentors (Bigs) with a “BIG Night Out” at the Starr Hill Brewery Tasting Room in Crozet on Friday, January 8th. This event is open to the public! Additionally, $1 of every beer sold in their tasting room throughout the entire month of January will be donated back to BBBS, thanks to Starr Hill’s Cheers for Charity program. Support will be used to provide more mentors to children on our waiting list from the Charlottesville and Albemarle communities.
In addition to the month-long partnership with Starr Hill, BBBS is looking to “Put the MEN in Mentoring” this year. We are setting a goal of bringing in 75 new male mentors to serve boys ages 6-16 on our waiting list.
As Dave Koehn, Voice of the Virginia Cavaliers and Big Brother for five years says about his relationship with his Little, “It’s not exactly heavy lifting . . . we’re walking the dog, we’re playing video games, we’re throwing the football in the park.”
“There is a powerful effect as a result of mentoring, demonstrated by research and the experiences of young people who are connected to a mentor in real life” said Jackie Bright, BBBS Executive Director. “Mentoring is linked to improved academic, social and economic prospects for young people. Those improvements ultimately strengthen our community.”
An assortment of other activities will be held throughout the month including:
To keep up with National Mentoring Month activities, LIKE our Facebook page at facebook.com/blueridgebigs and visit our website, www.blueridgebigs.org.
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