Running Head: BB/BS Open Arms and Open Hearts: Big Brothers/Big Sisters Pamela Naughton Rucker Mrs. McKibbin EH 322-04 March 19, 2001 OUTLINE Thesis Statement: The Big Brother/Big Sisters program was designed to help children from single parent homes. The program matches children with positive adult role models.I. Beginning a. History-BB/BS began as early at the 1900's.b. Facts and statistics-Children in the program excel in various areas such as school and relationships with others.II. Role of a Big Brother or Big Sister a. Purpose-Our mentoring helps children from single parent homes.b. Experiences-Examples of a big's experiences with his or her little.III. Little Brother's and Little Sister's Part Purpose a. What they gain-Being in the programs can change their life forever.b. What we do-We do a lot of fun stuff together IV. Conclusion a. It's easy to become a volunteer.INTRODUCTION The Big Brothers/Big Sisters program was designed for children from single parent homes. The program matches little brothers and little sisters "little's", with adult role models, also called "big's". The mission statement of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama is "to create, organize, promote, and encourage the welfare of children generally by providing a one-to-one friendship for children of single parent homes with adult volunteers. The corporation shall affirmatively attempt to represent and assist boys and girls of all ethnic, racial, national, cultural, and religious groups in the Northeast Alabama service area. In fulfilling this purpose, it shall be the policy of the corporation to seek and accept only those volunteers possessing the highest personal level of stability, honesty, integrity, ethics and unassailable morality" (BB/BS, personal communication, September 1, 2000).RESEARCH METHODS I became a volunteer in the program in September 2000. I choose to become a volunteer to help a child in need. I also knew it would be a learning experience for me as well as my little. I heard about the program through my job at Wakefield's/Martin's department store. Two of my co-workers are volunteers. I called the outreach coordinator for Calhoun County, Sue Gajda, and she mailed me the packet of information. The biggest part of my research is from personal experience. I found a book and a Website on Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. The Annsiton Star did an article on Big Brothers/Big Sister of Calhoun County. I was interviewed for this article as well as other volunteers.REPORT Big Brothers/Big Sisters dates back as early as the 1900's. "Big Sisters activity occurred as early as 1902, when a group of women in New York City, began befriending girls who came before the New York Children's Court" (Beiswinger, 1985, p.3). Big Brothers was also established during this time. Various cities and states began their own branches of Big Brothers/Big Sisters (BB/BS).During the early 1900's BB/BS was not a national federation. The program was strictly handled o...
