What is Attorneys for Big Brothers Big Sisters?

Attorneys for Big Brothers Big Sisters is a coalition of legal professionals working to connect the legal community with Big Brothers Big Sisters by:

• Increasing funding from attorneys and area law firms
• Recruiting attorneys and legal professionals to serve as Big Brothers and Big Sisters
• Building the “Legal Corps,” which will be dedicated to educating and advocating for Big Brothers Big Sisters and their mentoring matches

Why is Big Brothers Big Sisters interested in the legal community?

Big Brothers Big Sisters was founded by the legal community. In 1904, Ernest Coulter, a young court clerk founded Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Just ten short years later, Judge Thomas C. Hennings, Jr. founded the local affiliate, known at the time at Big Brothers Association of St. Louis.

In 2014, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri will celebrate its centennial anniversary. We are eager to celebrate our history and the living legacy of the legal community’s contributions, in the present and future.  

What difference does Big Brothers Big Sisters make in a child’s life?

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri has three main objectives for our children when it comes to education – Attendance, Behavior and Classroom Success. In 2006 we launched the ABC Education Initiative in order to track the success of children in our program. 

Mentoring works. During the 2008-2009 school year the ABC data indicated significant improvement:

• 48% improved in Absences
• 63% improved in Tardiness
• 50% improved in Discipline Referrals
• 60% improved in Reading
• 56.3% improved in Math

How can I join Attorneys for Big Brothers Big Sisters?

To “join” means to make a donation, volunteer to be a Big Brother or Big Sister or sign up to be a member of the “Legal Corps.” To become a member of Attorneys for Big Brothers Big Sisters please contact Bart Holland, Director of Special Projects, at (314) 633-0024 or bholland@bbbsemo.org. An Attorneys for Big Brothers Big Sisters information packet will be sent to you once the agency has your contact information. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to getting to know you and introducing you to other attorneys who care about children and Big Brothers Big Sisters.