Big Brothers Big Sisters Honors Lunch Buddies at New Buffalo Middle/High School

May 25, 2011, New Buffalo, Michigan – On Wednesday, May 25 from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass will be honoring its 21 Lunch Buddy matches at New Buffalo Middle/High School. Twenty-one students from New Buffalo High School have spent every Wednesday afternoon during the past school year with their "Buddies." These Big Brothers and Big Sisters don't meet right at lunchtime, but they talk about their week, encourage their Little Brothers and Little Sisters to do well in school and dream big about their futures. The culmination of this effort is a recognition program and refreshments for both the Bigs and the Littles.

The Lunch Buddy Program, sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters, matches school children between the ages of 6 and 12 with high school students as well as adults who volunteer to become mentors. The purpose of the program is to build self-esteem, improve school performance, and help children create a vision for their futures. The program evaluation at the end of last school year revealed that 70% of the BBBS Littles had Much Better or a Little Better self-confidence and 80% had shown increased trust towards adults. Lunch Buddy programs are in place at schools in Benton Harbor, Berrien Springs, Brandywine, Buchanan, Cassopolis, Dowagiac, New Buffalo, Niles and River Valley school districts. Prospective volunteer mentors may contact Big Brothers Big Sisters at 877.367.2244 toll-free or by e-mail at info@bbbsofbc.org to receive more information or request an application. BBBS is a United Way funded partner.

Contact Persons at New Buffalo Middle/High School are:
Chris Frank, BBBS Case Manager
Lisa Mollison, NB High School Sponsor

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass, Inc.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass, a United Way partner agency, helps vulnerable children beat negative odds. Professionally-supported volunteer services are proven to reduce children’s risk of dropping out of school; becoming violent; using drugs and alcohol; and falling victim to other negative cycles. Big Brothers Big Sisters and its network of supporters recognize the hardship, pain and challenges that children in too many communities confront. There’s an urgent demand for what the organization achieves. In addition to the traditional mentoring program, which matches a Big Brother or a Big Sister with a child of the same gender for at least one year, BBBS provides "Lunch Buddy" mentors who meet with a child at their school once a week during lunchtime. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass, Inc. is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization celebrating 42 years of service in Berrien and Cass counties of Southwest Michigan. Learn how to join the movement to change how children grow up in Berrien and Cass Counties by going to BBBSofBC.org or call (269) 684-1100, toll free (877) 367-2244.