Submitted
Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters (KSBBBS) serving Ellis, Russell, Trego, Rush, and Rooks Counties is proud to celebrate BBBS Month this September by shining a light on its urgent need for volunteer mentors (Bigs) with the goal of matching 30 youth by the end of the year who are currently waiting for a Big.
Volunteerism across the nation has decreased by approximately 30% over the last decade, and Kansas is no exception, falling from 8th to 13th in the nation for citizens volunteering in their communities since 2021. Currently, KSBBBS has nearly 1,000 youth across the state who are waiting for a mentor, with about 80% being Little Brothers.
“Our mission is to empower youth through meaningful, one-to-one mentoring relationships, but we can't do it alone,” said Mary Shannon, KSBBBS President and CEO.
Governor Laura Kelly has underscored the importance and impact of KSBBBS’ mission to help youth facing adversity via one-to-one mentorship by proclaiming September 2024 as Big Brothers Big Sisters Month in Kansas.
Shannon continued, “We are honored by Governor Kelly’s recognition of our important work, and there is certainly more to do. With increased youth suicide rates in Kansas and the everyday struggles families face, the need for our services has continued to grow, and we are asking the help of our communities to match our youth who simply need a friend.”
KSBBBS serving Ellis, Russell, Trego, Rush, and Rooks Counties has been present in the area since 2000, having served 1,800+ youth facing adversity over the years by pairing them with caring adult mentors in the community at no cost to families. In fact, of Littles paired with a mentor through KSBBBS in 2023:
· 80% maintained or improved their academic performance
· 89% reported improvement in bullying situations
· 91% said they feel less isolated or alone because of their mentor
· 96% said their relationship with their Big is very important to them
To celebrate BBBS month throughout September, KSBBBS will be hosting various events and initiatives, bringing awareness to its mission, recruiting Bigs, and raising funds. Anyone interested in supporting KSBBBS can help by:
· Becoming a Big: Join nearly 1,800 Bigs across Kansas by sharing a few hours of your time a month (an average of 48 hours a year) with a youth in need of a friend. Learn more or get started at kansasbigs.org/be-a-big. · Refer a Big: Nominate someone in your life to be a Big: kansasbigs.org/refer-a-big.
· Donate: Every dollar counts in supporting our matches, enrolling youth & volunteers, and recruiting a new wave of mentors. Give a one-time, monthly, or legacy gift: kansasbigs.org/donate-now.
· Join KSBBBS for World Kindness Day: Call or visit the KSBBBS office to learn how you can help us spread kindness on November 13, 2024!
For more information on how you can help your local KSBBBS office match more youth with a local, caring one-to-one mentor, please contact KSBBBS at 785-625-6672 or [email protected].
Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on serving youth facing adversity, ages 5 through 25, with a one-to-one professionally supported mentoring relationship. For more information about KSBBBS, visit www.kansasbigs.org.