Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Helena

Big Brothers Big Sisters mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships.

Big Brothers Big Sisters vision is successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to brighter futures, better schools, and stronger communities for all.

Description:
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a proven prevention program for youth, providing needed support to children in our local community through professionally supported one-to-one relationships. Each of us can remember a special adult who made a difference in our lives when we were children. Through Big Brothers Big Sisters, we can ensure that children in our community have positive adult role models in their lives.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Helena matches children aged 5 through 15 with adult and young adult volunteer mentors. Our program has tremendous impacts on the lives of both our children (Littles) and volunteers (Bigs). We are dedicated to providing opportunities to enjoy the magic that comes from making a new friend. Thank you for visiting our website. You will find information about our programs and services, how to become a volunteer, how to enroll a child, information about upcoming events and activities, resources for Bigs, and ways you can make a difference by contributing to our organization.

History:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America was founded in 1904 and celebrated its 100th year of service to children in 2004.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Helena started in 1967 as a part-time project of a priest in the Helena diocese. With Carroll College students as volunteers, the Community Mentoring Program supported seven Big Brother Big Sister relationships. The first Board of Directors, formed in 1971, raised funds through the Emergency Employment Act grant to hire the program's first full-time Executive director. In 1992 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Helena affiliated with BBBS of America and standardized program delivery. The inception of the School Mentoring Program was an effort to serve more children in the community. Initially funded by a grant from the Montana Board of Crime Control in 1996, the program matched high school students with students from a nearby elementary school. The early program was small, yet it has grown considerably since it's meager beginning. The School Mentoring Program now encompasses both Helena High School , Capital High School , students from Carroll College and University of Montana Helena, employees from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Valley Bank, Northrop Grumman, Dick Anderson Construction, and other adult volunteers from the community. The School Mentoring Program now serves over 200 children annually and is in 9 local elementary schools and one middle school. The Community Mentoring Program serves an average of 150 kids each year.

Contact people:

Greg King, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Cathy Huntley, Special Events Coordinator, (phone), (email) Shannon Kirkbride, Office Manager, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (406) 449-6421

Address:

30 W. 6th Ave. Helena, MT 59601 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.bbbs-helena.org

Last updated on October 14, 2009