Press release from Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC:
Asheville, NC—Thursday May 25, 2017: Five of the ten branches comprising Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC will come together on Friday, May 25 to celebrate and honor the growth and achievement of each Little in their Community-based programs. The event will be held at Asheville High School’s cafeteria from 6:00-8:00 PM. Members of the press are invited to attend and will have an opportunity to spotlight inspiring personal stories of how these mentoring relationships have helped local youth overcome adversity.
BBBS Littles make amazing progress during their time as mentees. When compared with their non-mentored peers, they are less likely to skip school or engage in other risky behaviors—and increase their educational expectations for themselves. The annual Littles’ Recognition Dinner is an opportunity the community to come together and celebrate them for all they have accomplished and encourage them on their future paths.
“This event gives Littles an opportunity to shine in front of their parents, family members and their Bigs,” says Jamye Davis, BBBS WNC’s Assistant Director. “During the event, selected youth speak to the audience and share their inspiring stories about challenges they had to overcome and how their mentor contributed to their growth and success,” she says.
This year’s recognition dinner will include a fun photo booth, free books to take home for summer reading, and free art supplies for summer creativity.
Each Little in attendance will be recognized specifically for their personal achievements such as: making the honor roll, volunteerism, athletics and leadership. A special portion of the evening will be reserved for those Littles who are graduating from high school in June and completing their official match terms with their Bigs.
“Some of our Littles have a clear need for extended support from their Bigs through the ages of 19 or 20 years old,” says Davis, “And we extend the matches for those special cases each year. But for most of our graduating Littles, the Recognition Dinner marks a bookend to their time in the program—though Bigs and Littles remain lifelong friends after their time in the program officially ends.”
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