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For Immediate Release:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate
Receives $25,000 Grant from Women Giving for Spartanburg
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (May 16, 2011) – Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate, in a ceremony with several other Spartanburg County non profits, was presented a $25,000 grant from Women Giving for Spartanburg at its annual luncheon on May 2, 2011. Women Giving for Spartanburg was created in 2007 as a special project of The Spartanburg County Foundation. The mission is straightforward: to maximize women’s leadership in philanthropy by engaging and informing the membership, increasing charitable contributions, and significantly improving the greater Spartanburg community through the impact of collective giving. Members contribute annually to the grant pool. These donations are awarded in their entirety to the local charities selected by the membership. This year the organization and its membership of 254 strong surpassed the $1 million mark in total giving.
Big Brothers Big Sisters was awarded this grant for Hispanic Mentoring Youth Outreach. The Hispanic population in South Carolina grew by over 8% in the last census and Spartanburg County was one of the largest growth areas. However, mentoring and other services for Hispanic youth have not kept pace with other ethnic groups in Spartanburg County. Of 228 County youth mentored by the Big Brothers Big Sisters in 2010, only 2 were Hispanic. Research has shown mentoring is an effective strategy for combating high risk youth behaviors; such as dropping out of school, juvenile crime, and substance abuse.
"Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate expresses our sincerest thanks to the Women Giving for Spartanburg for their tremendous support of our program," said Terry Hypes, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate. "These funds will be used to help fund 25 new matches of mentors with at risk Hispanic youth in Spartanburg County during the next 12 months."
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest, and most effective youth mentoring organization in the U.S. It has been the leader in one-on-one youth mentoring services for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Nationwide Big Brothers Big Sisters serves 255,000 young people each year ages six through eighteen.
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