Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midland County Inc.

Overview

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midland County Inc. was a local affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, a nonprofit organization focused on creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships. The organization aimed to ignite the power and promise of youth, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds.

History

Big Brothers of Midland County was established in April 1955. The organization's motto was, "No man stands so straight as when he stoops to help a boy." Initially, its purpose was to provide guidance for boys who came from broken homes or were in trouble with the law. In May 1959, Big Sisters of Midland County was founded through the efforts of the Zonta Club, focusing on supporting the emotional, moral, and spiritual needs of children[1].

Programs

The organization offered various programs aimed at enhancing the lives of children. These included Community Based Mentoring, where mentors spent time with children in everyday activities, helping them build confidence and skills. Another key program was Lunchbox Learners, which focused on improving reading skills among children in grades K-3[3].

Impact

The mentoring programs led to positive outcomes, such as improved scholastic competency, reduced risk-taking behaviors, and higher self-esteem among participants[3].

Evolution

In August 1986, Big Sisters and Big Brothers merged to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midland County, Inc. However, in 2012, this organization merged with Big Brothers Big Sisters in the Heart of Michigan and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saginaw Bay to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region, expanding its service area to include Saginaw, Midland, Bay, and Isabella Counties[1].