Impact Youth in Our Community: Become a BIG
For the second year, we are proud to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chattanooga to spread awareness on the need for Bigs and Littles in our community. With youth and school violence on this rise, it’s more important that ever that children are surrounded by positive influences in their life and shown that their potential is endless.
In 1958, Big Brothers chartered it’s 34th chapter of the national organization. Following in the footsteps, Stella Murphy established Big Sisters in 1961, before the organizations merged in 1970. Founded on the inherent belief that every child has the ability to succeed and thrive, BBBS is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the country.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga matches children ages 6 to 14 in Hamilton, Marion, Bradley counties in Tennessee and Walker, Dade, and Catoosa counties in North Georgia with adult mentors. The organization strives to match at-risk youth with caring, positive role models. Many of the children are from single parent households, growing up in poverty and coping with parental incarceration.
There are no special talents or degrees that make a Big, it’s their dedication to positively impact a child’s life that make them role models. Matches between Bigs and Littles start with support to help grow the one-on-one partnership to a lasting, fruitful friendship. There is no daunting time commitment or huge expense, it’s spending a few hours together doing things you already enjoy.
The organization offers 5 different mentoring programs designed to better serve both Bigs and Littles. The traditional community-based mentoring happens at various locations throughout the city- whether it’s a local sporting event, movie or dinner. The school-based program allows Bigs to meet with their littles at school for an hour each week. There is also the beyond school walls program that meets at the Big’s workplace, E-mentoring to support a Tyner High School student for 2 years while they complete a leadership class, and the Bigs in Blues program that matches youth with law enforcement to build bridges of trust and understanding.
You don’t have to be a superhero to make a difference, it’s simply spending a few hours each month with your mentee. It’s shaping a child’s future for the better and empowering them to achieve- all while having fun. If you have questions or are ready to make the difference in the life of an area youth, please visit Volunteer (bbbschatt.org)
The BIG Picture:
BBBS of Greater Chattanooga has served 287 children in 2022
57 littles in our community are waiting for a Big
There have been 49 new matches made in 2022
67% of former Littles surveyed agree that their Big played a role in their decision to attend college.
It only takes 4-6 hours a month to impact the life of an area child.
81% of former Littles surveyed agree their Big gave them hope and changed their perspective of what they thought possible.
From 18 to 80 year olds can serve as Bigs