40 Years of Changing Lives

297

Commentary by William Salcedo, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties in Asbury Park
Forty years ago, Curtis Colby’s mission to bring a Big Brothers Big Sisters program to Monmouth County was accomplished. BBBS was established on April 26, 1976 and since then we’ve grown and are proudly providing 680 children with mentors. Five years ago, our agency expanded to serve the youth in Middlesex County as well.
Times have certainly changed since 1976 when our agency began. The landscape of our state has changed and the population in the counties has grown by nearly half a million residents. The BBBS mentoring program is needed more than ever now.
Amidst all the changes, some things have stayed the same. Our phone continues to ring from families whose children need a Big Brother or Big Sister, and the need remains for dedicated volunteers to mentor these children.
Today, we have volunteer Bigs and their Littles living throughout the Two River area and from towns all across Monmouth County. The Big Brother or Big Sister is the person spending time and bonding with the Little, but in the back- ground is a support system that includes BBBS staff, parents, guardians, and many others in our community.
Community partners help to provide activities for our Littles, Bigs and families and opportunities for our Littles to see beyond their own homes and neighborhoods. Saint John Vianney High School Key Club in Holmdel hosts BBBSMMC’s Annual Halloween Party where Littles come dressed in their costumes to trick or treat around the hallways of the high school. For many years, the Hi-Mar Striper Club has hosted our Bigs and Littles on a fishing trip from Atlantic Highlands Marina. What a great way for our Littles to try fishing for the first time!
Local businesses and residents continue to rally to support our mentoring programs for children in our communities. For many years, Rumson-Fair Haven High School’s students and faculty have participated in our annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser. Staff from Riverview Medical Center also bowl in the event along with other Meridian employees. They join the thousands of civic minded people who support BBBSMMC each year.
We are proud to celebrate our agency’s past and are committed to its future. We will continue to do our ver y best to provide every child who needs or wants a mentor with a Big Brother or Big Sister of their own. Together, we can make a BIG difference in young lives and attain our Vision that all children achieve success in life. For more information call 732-544-224 or visit bbbsmmc.org.