Big Brothers Big Sisters Manchester

Whether we're making an impact, or making headlines, there's always something newsworthy going on at Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Growing up has never been easy

For some children, it's harder than most. Single parent homes, neighborhoods riddled with gangs and crime, sub-standard schools, poor role models, and poverty can lead a child to despair, lack of self-worth, and ultimately, poor choices.

For more than 40 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Manchester has been helping our communities most vulnerable children through the power of a relationship with a Big Brother or Big Sister, giving kids the support and care they need to make smart choices. When we match a carefully-screened adult volunteer with a child at risk, the path to the future is re-paved with hope.

And not just hope, but real change. An independent research group found that Big Brothers and Big Sisters are truly changing their Little Brothers' and Little Sisters' lives. Littles are half as likely to use drugs or skip school. They avoid violence, and develop stronger relationships with their families.

But Big Brothers Big Sisters and our volunteers can't do it alone. Your gift of $24 a month will help us recruit and screen volunteers, make matches, and provide ongoing support to children and families. Please become a monthly partner today! Together we can change how our youth are growing up in greater Manchester! For more information call 669-5365 or email info@bbbsmanchester.org

Mentor Appreciation Breakfast Awards Ceremony

Nearly 100 friends, volunteers, and mentors were in attendance at this year’s Mentor Appreciation Breakfast, which took place on Saturday June 25^that Jillian’s Billiard Club in Manchester. This breakfast was an opportunity to thank all mentors for Starting Something, one child at a time. All mentors were recognized with an award to honor their time and relationship with their Little.

The "Mentor of the Year” went to Lynda Sanford. She has been matched with her Little Sister Sarilyn since November 2009. Lynda has recruited two of her friends to become mentors with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Manchester, and they are now both providing their skills to youth in need. In addition to volunteering as a Big Sister, Lynda also volunteers in multiple other capacities. Lynda recently involved her Little Sister, Sarilyn in this volunteering. The two of them brought baby clothes to a mother and her baby. While Lynda and the mother went through the items, Sarilyn played with the baby. Sarilyn has expressed that she feels good about helping others, along with her Big Sister.

Bonnie Jones was the recipient of the “Shining Star Award”. Bonnie received this award for her dedication to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Manchester as well as her family. Bonnie has shown an outstanding amount of support to comply with the guidelines of BBBS and has always kept an open line of communication between the BBBS staff, her grandchildren and their mentors.

2011 Graduates

Gary Bonenfant & Ryan

Lynn Chesebrough & Deanna

Peter Lambie & Christian

Lee Mercier & Cassandra

Cathie Simard & Amanda

A BIG Thanks to Jillian’s Billiard Club, Blake’s Restaurant, Crown Trophies, founding Board President, Emile Beaulieu, board members, staff and volunteers for making this a memorable appreciation breakfast!

September 2011 Newsletter
August 2011 Newsletter

MENtors Needed!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Manchester needs male mentors for Community Based and Site Based matches. Only 1 out of 10 new volunteers at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Manchester are men, which means that plenty of young boys are match ready and waiting for some good men to step forward. Being a “Big Brother” requires no special skills – just a desire to be a friend to a child.

Community-Based Mentoring - In the Community Based program Bigs and Littles typically meet 2-3 times a month, for a minimum of one calendar year. We recommend that you keep a consistent schedule and that you see each other on a regular basis. Share an activity that gives you something in common to talk about. You want to select activities that give each of you a chance to learn more about one another. Buy a comic book to read to each other, play a board game, or take a ride in the car with the radio on and discuss the music! For children, playing can be learning. Most important - have FUN!

Site Based Mentoring - Our Site Based program allows Bigs and Littles meet once a week in schools, childcare centers and community after school sites, to talk and have fun. Bigs and Littles typically meet 45 minutes to one hour a week, throughout the school year, to read together, play sports or computer games, or simply talk about life and personal issues – just as friends do!

Please tell a friend, brother, co-worker to give us a call at 669-5365, x201.

Match Story

There aren't too many people that don't already know what our match is like. I talk about it all the time. We met 4, almost 5 years ago. I was very pleased to meet a beautiful, I mean really beautiful, young Mexican girl. She was very shy and not the first one to speak out in her class. Within that first year, she became an excellent student. She began to "fix" her hair, dress with style, and socialize. We since have learned how to make bead jewelry, hook rugs, crochet, color velvet pictures, I lose many games, and we always find some sort of craft for each holiday. I feel that I have only skimmed what we really do.

My little has made me very proud. She is a high honor student for 3 years running. Just this past year, has been chosen to be a mentor for incoming students to Junior High. She is a fabulous example! I love her so much!

A couple of years ago, we decided to begin a great way to reward her-we collect really neat bracelets that we add a special charm for each of her accomplishments. She now wears 2 bracelets!

Anyway, if more people could see how little effort it takes to make a HUGE difference in someone's life, there would not be a waiting list of children to be matched. Spread the word and make a kid smile. It's easy.

Very proudly,
Ruth Witherspoon
School-based mentor program
& Community-based program