2012 Bowl For Kids' Sake is a Mardi Gras theme.  
Mardi Gras style   

March 3: Fast Lanes, Hoopeston

March 9 (Friday): Lincoln Lanes Danville

March 10 (Saturday): Lincoln Lanes, Danville                                                                                        

                                                                  
                                      Click here for more information.

JANUARY IS NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH

BOSTON, MA, December 28, 2009 – General Colin L. Powell will headline the 10th Annual National Mentoring Month volunteer recruitment drive.  Held each January, the campaign highlights the crucial role played by mentors in helping young people to achieve their potential.                                                                                  

Our Mission:  To provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships and programs that change their lives for the better, forever.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Vermilion County links positive mentors (Bigs) with children (Littles) ages 6 through 13, in Vermilion County.  In 1971 a group of concerned citizens were worried that children from single parent homes did not have the guidance they needed.   They determined the best way to provide this guidance was through 1-to-1 mentoring. After contacting Big Brothers Big Sisters of America these caring adults developed Big Brothers Big Sisters of Vermilion County. 

Nationally, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States.  The organization continues as the leader in 1-to-1 youth mentoring for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people.

Landmark Study Finds Lasting Effects
Big Brothers Big Sisters recently engaged the research work of Harris Interactive in order to determine if its effectiveness lasts past the years when children are actually enrolled in the programs.

This research shows the lessons children in the program learn and the opportunities that are given to them as a result of having a positive "Big" influence in their life lasts forever.

Among the studies findings:

Children who had a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters are:

  • 75% more likely than non-alumni to have received a four-year college degree.
  • 39% more likely than non-alumni to have current household incomes of $75,000 or more.
  • Extremely or very satisfied with their relationships to friends (72%), family (65%) and spouses (62%) than non-alumni.
  • Extremely or very satisfied with life (64%) compared to just 35% of non-alumni.
  • More likely than non-alumni to be engaged in their community over the past 12 months, particularly when it comes to volunteering and holding a leadership role in an organization working on an issue.

 

Donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters

"I think he was truly amazed that WE could make something and not go to the store and buy one that is already put together."Patrick J. O'Shaughnessy

Read more about Patrick's story.
Thanks to all who attended our 2012 Bowl For Kids' Sake Kick off Big Chocolate Obsession.

 At that meeting it was finally put to me how great the need is in our community for mentors, especially men”. - Kevin Stroud