Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State Celebrates National Mentoring Month

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State (BBBSOS) and UnitedHealthcare invite the community to celebrate the 14th annual National Mentoring Month at a Mentor Recruitment Rally Wednesday, Jan.  14, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane in Warwick (Snow date – January 26, 2015).

More than 200 children between ages 7 and 15 are waiting for mentors in communities throughout Rhode Island. Becoming a mentor simply means being a friend to a child in the community and engaging them in activities that enable the pair to build a bond that ultimately – just by spending time together – gives the child higher aspirations, greater confidence, better relationships, avoidance of risky behaviors and greater educational success.

Community members are encouraged to stop by this free Rally that will include a “Question and Answer” forum featuring a panel of community leaders including Deborah Gist, Rhode Island  Commissioner of Education; Deb Saunders, executive director of BBBSOS; Pilar McCloud, chairperson for the NAACP; and Lauren Conway, Big Sister volunteer and CFO of UnitedHealthcare of New England. Panelists will speak about mentoring, its significance in the community and the impact it has made on each of them. Attendees will be able to ask questions about what mentoring is and how they can become involved.

 “Helping children and teens work through academic and social issues, and showing them that there is someone who is there to listen are important as they strive to live healthy, productive lives,” said Conway. “UnitedHealthcare is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State and help support young people in our community.”

“We are thrilled that UnitedHealthcare has joined us in sponsoring National Mentoring Month initiatives such as our Rally,” said Saunders. “Mentoring has proven health benefits for the volunteer, such as reduced risk of heart disease and an increase of life expectancy.  This makes our partnership a perfect pairing.”

BBBSOS will also announce the 2014 locally nominated, nationally recognized “Big Brother & Big Sister of the Year.”  Refreshments will be provided by the staff and students of Exeter Job Corps, and attendees will be entered for a drawing to win a Fitbit and other great prizes. 

To find out more about the event, or to learn more about becoming a mentor to a child in Rhode Island, visit www.BBBSOS.org or call 401.921.2434.