Big Brothers Big Sisters to connect Baby Boomers with young people

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) has announced a $1 million grant from MetLife Foundation to launch a second phase of the MetLife Foundation Partnership for School-Based Mentoring. The focus of the new grant is to expand BBBS' school-based mentoring program, with an emphasis on connecting the nation's large baby boomer population with young people in need of mentors. BBBS of Oklahoma is one of 10 BBBS organizations around the country that will participate in the initiative. It will receive $40,000.

Through the Bigs in Schools Program, volunteers spend time one on one with "Littles" in their schools, typically once a week during the academic year. Teachers identify children who can benefit most from interaction with a caring adult. As friendships evolve, volunteers and children discover ways to make school and learning fun.

"Mentoring is a critical component of young people's healthy development," said Sibyl Jacobson, president, MetLife Foundation. "We are pleased to partner with BBBS to engage more boomers in increasing opportunities for young people."

"We salute MetLife Foundation for partnering with us to identify and engage boomers in our mission to enrich young people's lives through one-to-one friendships," said Judy Vredenburgh, president and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA). "Boomers are finding creative ways to stay vital and connected to their communities, and BBBS offers an ideal solution. We know they make terrific mentors, but currently they represent just 16 percent of the 234,000 'Bigs' around the country," she said.

The new $1 million grant from MetLife Foundation launches the second phase of a $2.1 million, multi-year partnership helping BBBS bring the Bigs in Schools Program to scale. In the first phase, BBBS agencies in 25 cities were awarded funding to match thousands of young people with mentors and to connect volunteers with schools and their communities. MetLife Foundation support also helped the agencies leverage additional local resources.

Other grant recipients are: BBBS of New York City, New York, NY; Nutmeg BBBS, Hartford, CT; BBBS of San Diego County, San Diego, CA; BBBS of Southeast Texas, Houston, TX; BBBS of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL; BBBS of Greater Charlotte, Charlotte, NC; BBBS of Metropolitan Portland, Portland, OR; BBBS of Central Maryland, Baltimore, MD, and BBBS of the Capital Region, Albany, NY.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the U.S. It has been the leader in one-to-one youth services for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. In 2005, Big Brothers Big Sisters served 234,000 children, ages 6 through 18, in all 50 states. The national offices are located in Philadelphia, PA. To volunteer or donate, visit http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 by MetLife to carry on its longstanding tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Grants support health, education, civic and cultural programs. For more information about the Foundation, visit http://www.metlife.org.