BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO SERVE
ON WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF FAITH-BASED AND NEIGHBORHOOD
PARTNERSHIPS ADVISORY COUNCIL

PHILADELPHIA, PA, February 5, 2009 -- Big Brothers Big Sisters President and Chief Executive Officer Judy Vredenburgh will serve on a team of faith-based and secular leaders on the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Advisory Council.

The announcement came today as President Barack Obama signed executive orders creating the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, which will be headed by Joshua DuBois. 

“We see mentoring as an important part of the solution to reducing cycles of poverty in America.  At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we know that working with families, schools and communities, structured long-term mentoring increases the chances for America’s most vulnerable children to succeed in school and avoid negative behaviors,” Vredenburgh said.  “The Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Advisory Council will provide the opportunity for the kind of collaboration from secular and religious organizations so desperately needed to better position American families and children to beat the odds faced by so many, particularly in the face of our troubled economy.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters helps vulnerable children beat the odds.  The organization depends on donations to help recruit volunteers and reach more children.  Funding is used to conduct background checks on volunteers to ensure child safety; and provide ongoing support for children, families and volunteers to build and sustain long-lasting relationships.  Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven to increase children’s odds of succeeding in school, behaving nonviolently, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and breaking negative cycles.  Headquartered in Philadelphia and with nearly 400 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than a quarter million children. 

Click here to read more about Judy's Role on President Obama's Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Advisory Council.