January 29, 2014 at 3:54 p.m.
Big Brothers Big Sisters ready to help Northwoods children
Big Brothers Big Sisters ready to help Northwoods children
By Kayla Thomason-
"Our ultimate goal is to serve as many kids as we can and give them caring adults," said Craig Monson, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin.
The goal for this year is to serve 40 children and increase the numbers quickly in the following two years to 70 or 80 children.
BBBS of Northwestern Wisconsin will work with everyone, Monson said. They are excited and want to pull their resources together to make the program a success in the area.
The organization is based in Eau Claire and is part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
The staff and volunteers will be trained extensively in child safety and how to handle various situations, Monson said. Training is free.
Children who have any sort of adversity in their life are welcome to become a Little. The adversity can range from being bullied and needing extra support, to having a single parent.
"Pretty much anything you can think of we can serve that child from the simple to the more difficult, anything you can think of we have," Monson said.
Littles can be referred by parents, counselors, teachers, doctors or themselves, the only requirements are that the parent OKs it and the child wants to be in the program.
The cost per match for a year, with all the staff time, background checks and training costs the organization $1,000, according to Northwoods Development and Marketing Coordinator Mary Kinnunen.
BBBS is a non-profit organization which will require support from the community
In the next six months to a year, depending on how the program does in the area, they may open an office in Rhinelander, Monson said.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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