Campaign Reminds Community that Big Brothers Big Sisters Helps Moms Give their Children Every Opportunity to Succeed
 
When I tell people I head Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, they typically praise the organization’s “Bigs” and mention how fortunate the “Littles” who are enrolled in our program are to have them. However, in addition to serving 2200 volunteer mentors and mentees, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma serves parents, most of whom are single mothers and grandmothers.
 
This May, as the nation celebrates mothers, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma is introducing “All She Wants for Mother’s Day,” a fund drive that highlightsmothers of nearly 600 children, mostly boys, who are on the organization’s “waiting to be matched” lists.  The moms of these children are a tangible reminder that while the demand for our program has perhaps never been greater, resources needed to meet the need for our one-to-one professionally supported mentoring services are limited.
 
“Allan has been matched for two years, and it has made a world of difference. With his Big Brother’s help, he discovered a love for photography and now wants to finish high school and study art in college. Allan will be the first man in our family to graduate, and it was his Big who convinced him he could do it,” said mom Sasha.
 
“All She Wants for Mother’s Day,” honors Sasha and other moms of children who are waiting to be matched as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma makes an appeal for donations to help the organization recruit, screen and carefully match more Bigs with Littles in monitored long-term mentoring friendships.  The Mother’s Day Month campaign also includes a recruitment effort for male mentors, as two-thirds of the Littles who have been waiting the longest, sometimes for more than a year, for Bigs are boys.
 
As someone who speaks daily with mothers who seek our mentoring services, I understand in a real and very personal way what it is like for a mom to do everything she can to pave the way for her sons and daughters.  By supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, you can give a mom a mentor for her child.  It’s a gift with rewards proven by studies to help children improve in school, their behavior and their self-esteem – something that can change her child’s life for the better, forever.  Learn more at www.bbbsok.org.

Hayley Garrison is Vice President of Programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma