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Big Brothers Big Sisters recruiting volunteer mentors in Comal, Guadalupe counties
September 27, 2023
Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children realize their potential and build their futures. And they need your help.
With 20 children in Comal and Guadalupe counties awaiting a match, volunteer mentors are needed more than ever.
Some kids today are growing up without the support and guidance they need to be successful. Without access to positive role models, they often fall prey to the dysfunctional cycles of poverty, delinquency, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, failure and incarceration.
The Comal & Guadalupe counties branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas is inviting potential mentors to find out more about the program during a mixer with free bowling and food on Oct. 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Downtown Social, located at 386 West San Antonio St. in New Braunfels.
“We have expanded our staff to accommodate the increased need for services over the last year,” said Rianne Sykes-Wenske, director of the Comal & Guadalupe counties branch. “Even more families are reaching out, and we are committed to supporting them – which requires more volunteers. This event will help us get the word out and share more about the magic that happens when a child gets matched with their mentor. Come out and have some fun with us.”
The program in Comal and Guadalupe counties has seen remarkable success in the last two years. According to Sykes-Wenske, 100% of the matches are still together after one year. Additionally, 100% of students in the program saw promotion to the next school grade level in the last year.
The movement started in 1904 when Ernest Coulter, a New York City juvenile court clerk, observed how many fatherless boys came through his courtroom and recognized they needed a positive adult role model to help them stay out of trouble. He recruited the first 50 volunteers, marking the beginning of the Big Brothers movement.
The Comal & Guadalupe counties branch started in 2001 to change the lives of children for the better, forever.
For more information and to RSVP for the Oct. 4 event, visit https://rb.gy/8ry4r or email rsykes-wenske@bigmentor.org.