Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State is marking its 50th anniversary with “Mentoring Month” in January and other celebrations.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State’s mission is to provide mentors to the youth of Rhode Island who will motivate and empower them to make positive decisions, improve academic results, avoid risky behaviors and grow in a way that will positively impact the community.
This month marks the 15th annual National Mentoring Month also.
“We have been providing high-quality mentoring services to children throughout Rhode Island for half a century,” said Alison Reuter, president of the board of directors for the nonprofit. “I am extremely proud to be part of this organization and to be celebrating this significant milestone with fellow board members, mentors, mentees, donors and staff.”
In a recent national report called The Mentoring Effect, young people who were at risk for not completing high school but who had a mentor were 55 percent more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor. This same report found that one in three young people in our country will grow up without a mentor.
Today, in Rhode Island there are thousands of kids who could benefit from having a mentor, the organization notes.
BBBSOS will kick off its anniversary celebration with a breakfast on Jan. 21, which is National Thank Your Mentor Day. On June 4, “The Big Night Out – Classic Hollywood,” the organization’s annual gala, will take place at the Hyatt Regency Newport.
Throughout the year, BBBSOS will showcase impactful mentoring relationships, thank its stakeholders and host gatherings that highlight this and other milestones.
Other important dates for National Mentoring Month include:
• Jan. 14: “I Am a Mentor Day,” when volunteers across the community and the country share their stories about being a mentor on social media using #MentorIRL.
• Jan. 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, when there will be more opportunities to learn more about mentoring.
National Mentoring Month is led by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, with support from the Highland Street Foundation.
The wait list for children who need a mentor continues to grow, so volunteers are needed. To learn more, visit www.bbbsos.org.
