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Noreen Shanfelter
Director, Media and Public Relations
215.665.7778
noreen.shanfelter@bbbs.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Big Brothers Big Sisters Adds National Hotline to Help
Reunite Big and Little Brothers and Sisters Separated by Katrina;
Search Engines Also Up and Running
(PHILADELPHIA, September 27, 2005) With the number of displaced children from Hurricane Katrina estimated at more than 370,000 across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters has launched a major initiative to reunite Big and Little Brothers and Sisters through a toll-free hotline and two online search sites.
The toll-free hotline was developed by the Big Brothers Big Sisters’ State Association in Florida, and is being staffed by volunteers from agencies from around that state. The number is 1-866-435-BBBS (2227).
The match search web sites, which are being hosted by Yahoo.com and Karmus.com, can be accessed by going to the Big Brothers Big Sisters website at www.bbbsa.org/ReuniteAfterKatrina
Wide-Ranging Aid Package Being Offered
“This is truly a wide-ranging approach to aid – the family of Big Brothers and Big Sisters agencies reaching out to one another in this time of acute need,” said Judy Vredenburgh, President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, which launched the “Katrina Kids Effort” weeks ago.
“There are two groups of Big Brothers and Big Sisters agencies and families and individuals in need,” according to Vredenburgh. “Those directly impacted by Katrina in New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama, and those affected because of the large numbers of evacuees moving in. This latter group includes Texas with the most evacuees [as of this writing, 250,000], as well as Arkansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon and others. Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in those states have been working around the clock to support the needs of children and families at this vulnerable time.”
The national office is also working with agencies in areas more recently affected by Hurricane Rita, particularly in Lake Charles, which has been devastated, and in Houston.
Grants and Additional Services Available
In addition to helping reconnect Bigs and Littles, the Big Brothers Big Sisters family has established a broad package of direct grants and other services to affected agencies:
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The creation by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America of a “Katrina Kids Fund” with BBBSA pledging a minimum of $500,000 to support agencies directly hit by the hurricane and those agencies providing services to large numbers of displaced children. Additional support is being sought through a special donation page at www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org .
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The creation by the Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Florida State Association of a toll-free number to help Bigs and Littles, employees, family and friends locate each other, and to offer additional services. Volunteers from Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies around the state of Florida will staff calls. Initially there will be four options (1) Littles/volunteers wishing to reconnect; (2) Littles/parents wanting to reconnect; (3) mental health and grief counseling; and (4) other BBBS family and general information. BBBS staff and board who have lost contact with their agencies can contact them through this service or through the national office.
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Creation of a task force by BBBSA to coordinate activities that are occurring, to keep abreast of the needs of the affected agencies and those of their staffs, volunteers, Little Brothers and Sisters, to help assess needs, and to establish guidelines for the distribution of funds.
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The creation by Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas of a $100,000 fund to serve the needs of displaced families
“Kids are especially vulnerable now,” said Joel Waters, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mississippi. “Not only are their schools starting late, but some are starting at schools hundreds of miles away from their former homes. It’s a triple tragedy: no home, no school, and the possible loss of a valued friend – the Big Brother or Sister who normally comes right into the school to visit with the Little Brother or Sister,” he said. Waters runs 14 statewide offices throughout Mississippi; six of them have been destroyed or substantially damaged.
In New Orleans, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Louisiana serves eight distinct parishes, five of which have been directly impacted by Hurricane Katrina. In the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan area an estimated 150,000 children have been displaced, nearly 60,000 from Orleans parish alone, according to Dolores Whitfield, CEO of the New Orleans agency.
In addition, Mobile, Alabama has an estimated 20,000 evacuees and the former Big Brothers Big Sisters office is closed indefinitely. A search is on for new office space.
One Match Reunites
How much importance can a Big and Little relationship have? Take little sister, Vanicia, a nine year old from New Orleans, for example. Vanicia, with 14 members of her family, and their dog, made a harrowing journey from New Orleans to Georgia to take refuge with relatives. Vanicia’s Big Sister of four years, Stephanie Sutton, had been searching anxiously for her for a week, before she heard from her. When she fled her home, Vanicia had to leave behind almost everything she owned, including her new shoes and books for school. What she took with her were three framed photographs. One of those was a photograph of “Big Sister,” Stephanie and her husband.
Numerous Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies around the country are also involved in Hurricane Katrina efforts. (Note to editors: If you are interested in efforts in your particular location you can go to the web site or contact Noreen Shanfelter at noreen.shanfelter@bbbs.org for assistance.)
Individuals or corporations who wish to donate or volunteer as a Big Brother or Big Sister in this Hurricane Katrina Effort can also go to the web site: www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brother Big Sisters is the oldest, largest, and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. It helps children reach their potential through one to one relationships, professionally supported, with measurable results. The organization serves 225,000 children, ages 6 through 18, in all 50 states. National research has shown that the positive relationships between youth and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters have a direct, measurable, and lasting impact on children’s lives. The national office is located in Philadelphia. For additional information visit www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.
Note to reporters/editors/producers. Following are brief descriptions from the CEOs of Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in New Orleans, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama about their situations. If you are interested in speaking with them please contact Noreen Shanfelter, Director of Media and Public Relations at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, noreen.shanfelter@bbbs.org .
New Orleans
Dolores Medina-Whitfield, CEO of BBBS of Southeast Louisiana reports that is she is looking at possible transitional locales including Baton Rouge and parishes outside New Orleans proper. The New Orleans office was under water. "This is a challenge unlike any I or anyone in southeast Louisiana has ever known, and we will need everyone's support to rebuild and come back stronger than ever before. It will probably be months before we are able to get everything together, I am, however, determined to rebuild the agency and make it stronger than every before, God willing.”
Mississippi
Joel Waters, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mississippi says that devastation was widespread. Schools in Jackson in the middle of the state have reopened, according to Waters, but schools in Gulfport, Pascagoula, Brookhaven, Hattiesburg and other hard hit areas will likely remain closed until mid-October. The agency will need to rebuild four offices in those areas, according to Waters.
Mobile, Alabama
Darrell Manning, CEO of BBBS of Metropolitan Mobile YMCA, Mobile, Alabama reports that Mobile has an estimated 20,000 evacuees. The BBBS agency had 8 feet of flooding and lost part of its roof. The building has been closed indefinitely. The office is currently operating in 20 to 30 feet of space they share with 15 other people in a YMCA agency. They are seeking permanent accommodations for a staff of nine.
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