Lafayette Be the Change Spotlight :: Introducing Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Acadiana

By
Amanda Bensabat
-

This month for our “Be the Change Spotlight,” we’d like to introduce you to Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Acadiana, an organization whose mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships and ignite the power and promise of youth.

What Does Big Brothers Big Sisters Do::

For more than  100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country.

Who Does Big Brothers Big Sisters Serve ::

They serve youth ages 6-18 in the Acadiana area. 60% of the youth served through their programs are Black youth. They are a free and effective resource for parents/guardians who see a need for a positive role model in their child’s life. Parents can find program information at https://www.acadianabigs.com/programs/

One-to-one matches between Bigs and Littles truly ignite potential, empower youth and strengthen communities. Professional staff from Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully build and support each match, and ensure it meets the strictest standards. We strive for matches that are not only safe and well suited to each child’s needs, but also harmonious and built to last.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is currently enrolling children in their new E-Mentoring Program and our Community-Based Program.

How You Can Support Big Brothers Big Sisters ::

You can support Big Brothers Big Sisters by donating your time or making a financial donation. Click HERE for more information.
Donate Your Time- One-to-one mentoring relationships ignite the potential of the kids (“littles”) in the program. There are 4 ways to make a BIG IMPACT
  • Community Based– As a Big you can meet with your Little in the community at a time convenient for both you and the child. You can take a movie, bake cookies, shoot some hoops or whatever else might be a fun way to spend some time together.
  • E-Mentoring– E-mentoring will replace our traditional school-based program for the’20/’21 school year. This program matches Littles in grades 1st through 12th with volunteer mentors (Bigs) and they will meet virtually
  • Club Based– This program takes place at the Granberry Unit of Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana. It allows adult volunteer mentors (Bigs) and Littles to build a supportive relationship in a space where young people spend much of their free time, share interests and hobbies, develop goals and have fun!
  • Sports Buddies– Develop a one-to-one mentoring friendship between an adult and child through sport activities.
Financial Donation-  When you donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana, you are doing more than making a charitable contribution-you are making an investment in a child’s future.

Learn more about With Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana::
Website • Facebook • Instagram

If you’re interested in nominating an organization to be featured in our Lafayette Be the Change Spotlight, please email us at [email protected].

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