The profound results of a positive influence.

When you mentor a young person, you have a real impact on the future of that child and the community.  And all it takes is a few hours a month.

An independent study conducted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America facilitated by Public/Private Ventures, a national research firm based in Philadelphia, PA, shows the success of our program. Comparing children who had yet to be matched with a mentor with children who already had a Big Brother or Big Sister, the study found the mentored children to be:

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When John volunteered to be a big, he didn’t realize that he would get so much out of the experience.  “I did it because I wanted to help out a kid”  John said.  “I didn’t realize that I would have so much fun.”

John has been matched with his little Wayne for almost 3 years now.  Wayne says his favorite part is “just hanging out together and playing video games.”

The interaction between Beth, Mason, and Gavin is more than just fun and games. “It’s not just pizza parties and going to movies, we help Gavin with his school work and things like that,” Mason said.  At the beginning Beth and Mason provided a lot of help with homework. “He didn’t always have the most fun doing it, but I think it helped out.”

One of the first places Beth decided to take Gavin was the library.  “To me that was kind of the worst place because my reading skills weren’t that great,” Gavin said when sharing his fears about the library.  Gavin has now read all eight of the Harry Potter books, something he says he would never have been able to do without the help of Beth and Mason.  Today, Gavin enjoys reading to, Beth and Mason’s four month old daughter.

In addition to school work, the three dedicate their time to more fun activities such as the Akron Symphony, ice skating, and tours of the Howard House.

 Through all of their interactions, Beth, Mason, and Gavin have become extremely close.  “Since we’ve first met him he has grown up so much in terms of his maturity level,” Beth said.  “He’s part of our family now and it’s just a natural relationship.”

Today, they all see each other as family rather than strangers. “I never thought I would be really close like this, like really family knit tight,” Gavin said.

Gavin recently moved away from Akron.  Despite the distance, Beth, Mason, and Gavin still try to get together on every Saturday, even if it is just for breakfast.  “Meeting with Gavin is not a burden,” said Beth.  “After you establish a relationship like ours, it becomes a part of your life.”

YOU can be someone’s Hero!

Every child needs someone to look up to…someone with a positive self-image, a responsible attitude toward life, and realistic goals. 

For just a few hours each month, you can give a Little the invaluable gift of your friendship. By simply changing their perspective of what the world can offer, you can literally start changing their lives. And sometimes it’s as simple as playing video games, going to a museum, or just hanging out together.

Through professional support offered by Big Brother Big Sisters, you will reap the rewards of a new and potentially life-long friendship with your Little.  Go BIG!

Fishing is something Big Jim enjoyed doing anyway–now he has the perfect partner, Little Todd, to join him!

This Big and Little have been fishing together for 5 years now. Think of all the activities you enjoy doing…wouldn’t it be great to share that with someone who can really appreciate it!  

Being a Big is about being a friend and doing what you enjoy doing anyway.  Go BIG!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit & Medina Counties

Akron

780 East Exchange Street
Akron, OH, 44306
330.376.6503

Medina

2573 Medina Rd
Medina, OH, 44256
330.725.8455

Our Team

Debbie Boehmke, Medina School Site-Based Manager
Sarah Browning, Marketing and Recruitment Manager
Steve Crews, LSW, Case Manager
Richard Farkas, Interim Director
Anne McCoy, Marketing and Fundraising Assistant
Kim Smith, Sidekicks Coordinator
Diane Zajac,  LSW, Case Manager

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Big Brothers Big Sisters has important partnerships across the community, offering win-win opportunities for all participants!

How can your company partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters?

• Help us spread the word about our need for Adult Mentors
• Host a brown bag “lunch and learn” session for your employees — we will present your team with a brief overview of our program with Q & A
• Allow us to set up an information table during company fairs or employee events
• Host or sponsor a volunteer recruitment event
• Become a 2-for-1 merchant - allowing our matches to take part in exciting activities and events around the county at a 2-for-1 price,m which helps keep things affordable for our “Bigs” and offers much enrichment for our “Littles”!

Participate in our FUNdraisers!

Sponsoring our signature Bowl for Kids’ Sake event or the new Grapes for Kids’ Sake fundraiser is a great way to help AND engage your employees in a wonderful cause. Sponsorships at many investment levels are available, ensuring accessibility for businesses of all sizes.

Or, you may choose to:

• Put together a company Bowling Team or sponsor a lane for Bowl for Kids’ Sake
• Get a group together to attend our Grape for Kids’ Sake event, become and event sponsor or donate an auction item
• Join an event committee or invite one of your employees to join
  

  Team Charles Schwab 2011

  The BENEFITS to your company are many, including:

  Make a Difference in our Community: Kids are the future of our community.  Youth involved in mentoring programs are more confident in school and more likely to have better atttendance, get along better with their families and are less likely to use drugs and alcohol.

  Brand Awareness: Increase your company’s connection to and presence in the community through support for our programs or fundraisers.  Logo recognition on our website and event collateral, in addition to advertising when applicable, is offered.

  Employee Engagement: Support your company’s employee retention efforts through offering strong community connections.

  Employee Development: Employees develop mentoring and leadership skills through volunteerism.

  Building the Future Workforce: Little Brothers and Sisters are more likely to finish their education and become a skilled members of the local or national workforce, offering a future pool of qualified candidates.

  Enhanced Community Responsibility: Volunteer mentoring and support for local human and social service agencies is an ideal opportunity to develop and support the community in which you live and/or work.

• Potential volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
• All volunteers must have transportation and be able to show proof of car insurance.
• The volunteer must agree to spend 2-4 hours a week with the child and is asked to make a minimum of a one-year  commitment to the program. 

•  Tell us about yourself—sign up online today or call our offices.
• Attend an orientation on being a “Big”.  These are held monthly or can be scheduled individually as needed.
• Talk with us.  We’ll set up an interview so we can get to know you. This helps to ensure that you and your Little have the greatest potential for a rewarding friendship.

TO REQUEST AN INVITATION OR FOR MORE INFO:

Call 330.376.6503 or email annem@bbbssmc.org