Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters Heart of Illinois has been changing children's lives since 1904 by matching them with caring adults to guide them towards success. By providing one-to-one mentoring relationships, they help children navigate challenges and reach their full potential. Through careful matching, relationship management, engaging activities, and rigorous screening and training, Big Brothers Big Sisters ensures the safety and well-being of both the children and adult volunteers involved in their programs. Donating to this organization is an investment in the future of children in the community, making a direct impact on their lives.Generated from the website

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois (BBBSCIL) has been dedicated to serving low-income, underprivileged youth from single-parent families for over 30 years, operating in multiple counties including Macon, Sangamon, and Vermilion. Their mission focuses on creating and supporting one-on-one mentoring relationships that empower youth to reach their highest potential and avoid negative behaviors. Through community-based and site-based mentoring programs, BBBSCIL provides crucial support to approximately 800 youth annually, helping them graduate from high school, pursue higher education, and become responsible members of their communities. Founded in 1987, the organization has expanded significantly, now serving over 650 families each year and continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of children in Central Illinois. Generated from the website

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Illinois Capital Region ( BBBS ) was organized and incorporated in 1972. A group of ten members of the community recognized a need for a mentoring program that focused on positive youth development. During the first year of the organization, 50 children were matched with positive adult mentors ( Big Brothers and Big Sisters ). During the first two years, the program was run strictly by volunteers, many of whom worked out of their own homes. In 1976, BBBS hired its first Executive Director, Debra Beard, who served the agency for nearly 30 years. In 1999, after identifying the need for mentoring services in Christian County, Big Brothers Big Sisters expanded its services to include Christian County, and an office opened in Taylorville. In January 2007, the agency began serving children in Montgomery County. The agency's current Executive Director, Chris Hembrough began July 2007.Big Brothers Big Sisters offers one-to-one mentoring relationships to children who have been referred to us, either by a parent or a teacher. We serve children in Sangamon, Christian, Macoupin and Montgomery Counties through both the Community-Based and School-Based Mentoring programs. In 2008, BBBS served 875 children through our mentoring programs.As we continue to serve more children and make an impact in our community, we will serve these children as we always have--one child at a time.