User:LittleMoments/Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu (BBBSH) is a non-profit agency with the mission to help the youth in Hawaii become responsible adults. "...by matching [the children] in professionally supported one-to-one relationships with volunteer mentors who create a positive, lasting impact simply by sharing their friendship, guidance and support", BBBSH help children reach their full potential. BBBSH has been serving Hawaii since 1963.

History
In February 1963, Judge Gerald R. Corbett summoned a group of civic-minded gentlemen to his chambers at Juvenile court. The purpose of this gathering was to address a common concern over the rise in cases of "fatherless boys" involved in juvenile delinquency, truancy, and public disturbances. The solution was to establish an organization on Oahu where qualified and dedicated role models could extend themselves to youth in need of guidance and support through one-to-one friendships. Judge Corbett believed that individualized guidance from role models would inspire troubled youth to consciously engage in positive over negative behavior. As a result, Big Brothers of Hawaii was officially incorporated in March 1963.

Funds were then raised to support the program, whereby basic operating policies were established and the recruitment of qualified male volunteers who were willing to serve as "Big Brothers" to boys, or "Littles" in need of friendship commenced. On October 27, 1964, the first Big Brother-Little Brother match was made between Henry Sumida, an energetic male volunteer, and 10 year-old Dennis Brown. Henry would continue serving the community as a Big Brother for over twenty years before serving on the Board of Directors. Dennis pursued a career in social services and began to serve as President/CEO in 1998, nineteen years after Big Brothers of Hawaii and Hawaii Big Sisters merged to become Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu, Inc.

In the News
On October 29, 2009, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu, was named a 2009 Outstanding Advocate for Children and Youth by Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle, McDonald’s Restaurant and the Hawaii Children’s Trust Fund. The award was presented at the 14th annual luncheon on Thursday, October 29th at the historic Washington Place in celebration of October as Hawaii’s Children and Youth Month. Representative John Mizuno (D30-Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley, Fort Shafter) and Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland (D13-Sand Island, Kalihi, Nu'uanu) of the Hawaii State Legislature’s Keiki Caucus hosted the event.

Impact
After a study from 1992 to 1993, researchers found that after 18 months of spending time with their Bigs, the Little Brothers and Little Sisters were:

Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers had the greatest impact in the area of alcohol and substance abuse prevention. For every 100 youth between ages 10 and 16 who start using drugs, the study found, only 54 similar youth who are matched with a Big will start using drugs. Minority boys and girls were the most strongly influenced; they were 70 percent less likely than their peers to initiate drug use.
 * 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
 * 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
 * 52% less likely to skip school
 * 37% less likely to skip a class
 * more confident of their performance in schoolwork
 * one-third less likely to hit someone
 * getting along better with their families

Programs
Matches come together through our 3 essential programs:


 * Community-based Mentoring: For as little as an hour a week, Bigs and Littles meet in their community to share fun activities, stories, and a little bit of themselves.
 * School-based Mentoring: Bigs and Littles meet once a week in schools, libraries and community centers, to talk and have fun. It’s not about being a tutor … it’s about being a friend.
 * Site-based Plus Mentoring: Once a month, Bigs and Littles meet up for group field trips and exploration into a new profession, a community, or their culture.

Special Events
Bowl For Kids' Sake (BFKS): For 24 years, Bowl For Kids' Sake (BFKS) has been an important annual fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu. In 2009, this event raised almost $175,000 in important operating revenue. This has enabled the organization to positively impact the lives of thousands of children through quality mentoring relationships. We touch the lives of children who are most at-risk, and inspire them to become confident, competent and caring individuals in our island community. Research has proven the unquestionable benefits of mentoring, and the need for our programs to grow at an unprecedented rate. Components of this event:
 * Participants raise money online and/or turn in their pledge money on the event day and collect incentive prizes, including iPods, t-shirts, goodie bags and gift cards
 * Bowler enjoy an all-day roster of entertainment, including prize drawings, complimentary food and drink, media and suprise celebrity guests, music and fun