Feb 26, 2009
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America credits President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for a new Mentoring Month record set for volunteers this January. In January 2008, nearly 32,000 Americans inquired about becoming Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors compared to just over 25,000 last year, an increase of 25 percent.
"I applaud President and Mrs. Obama's passion about the importance of serving our nation's children through this important one-to-one service. The momentum is so timely; the need is so great. Parents, particularly single mothers, tell us they need support," said Judy Vredenburgh, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. "While we are encouraged by the renewed spirit of volunteerism, we are challenged to remind Americans that financial support is necessary to make our volunteer youth mentoring network successful so that we can make the matches, monitor them and support these one-to-one relationships so that they are successful over the long-term. An excellent way to become a part of mentoring is to make a financial contribution."
Independent studies find children with Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors are more likely to succeed in school, behave nonviolently and avoid risky behaviors. Matches are more likely to be successful when they are sustained over a long period of time.
"The children we serve are among America's most vulnerable. Our goal is to provide quality, committed mentoring that benefits our "Littles" throughout their lives," Vredenburgh said.
President Barack Obama endorsed National Mentoring Month in a national ad and issued a call for all Americans to commemorate the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday by making the celebration, which has become a National Day of Service, the start of a commitment to serve. In addition, on You Tube, First Lady Michelle Obama encourages Americans to consider mentoring at-risk children for ongoing service.