Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast receives multiple grants to support at-risk youth

The Bishop Parker Foundation has awarded $12,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast for its one-to-one mentoring programs in Manatee County with a focus on supporting students with learning disabilities and helping at-risk youth make academic progress and graduate high school with a viable plan for higher education and or a career.

Big Brothers Big Sisters also received a $5,000 grant from Boca CARES that provides a $100 gift card for the families of 50 Englewood Littles in the program. The Harold & Jacqueline Bladel Charitable Trust awarded $5,000 to support one-to-one mentoring programs for Sarasota County. The goal of the agency is to contribute to positive youth development through one-to-one mentoring relationships and programs.

Big Brothers Big Sisters supports at-risk youth with volunteer adult mentors who help them to remain in school, avoid risky behaviors, maintain and develop positive relationships, and work toward a transition to a productive adulthood. By matching these youth with professionally supported, trained mentors, the agency helps them meet these challenges.

Community-based mentoring relationships involve one-to-one outings and activities. Some Bigs meet with their Littles on weekends, while others get together on weekday evenings. Each match is unique and develops a schedule that works for them.

For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, visit bbbssun.com.

Submitted by Gina Taylor

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Multiple grants support Big Brothers Big Sisters mission