Building strong local communities begins with our youngest members. By partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters—an organization that has been helping children nationally since 1904, and locally since 1965—our employees can get invaluable facetime with the youth of western Pennsylvania, helping many children realize their potential and build a better future for themselves. For these reasons, and many more, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh is a cause near and dear to our hearts.
More than a decade ago, just as Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) was celebrating their 100th anniversary of serving America’s youth, we began a partnership with BBBS of Greater Pittsburgh for an elementary school site-based program. Six Peoples employees, including Joe G. and Mary F., decided to get involved with the program immediately. “The program looked like fun and seemed like a good way to get involved and learn more about BBBS, so I joined,” says Joe. “It was so rewarding to see firsthand the positive impacts that a mentoring relationship can have on our young people. I’ve been involved with BBBS since then.”
Through the years that followed, Joe stayed involved with the program, joining the BBBS of Greater Pittsburgh’s Board of Directors in 2011. Around the same time, he entered into a permanent community-based match with his current “little,” further cementing his positive opinion of BBBS. “[My little and I] have been matched for seven years. I’m a true believer in their mission,” says Joe. The importance of this mission lies in being a role model—showing his little how to treat others and be a friend, how to handle problems appropriately, and how to act responsibly. “It’s been so rewarding to see him grow to be a terrific young man,” says Joe. “While there are many other programs out there that help children and youth, BBBS is very unique and special in what it does.”
For Mary, it was her love of children that prompted her involvement. “It’s my firm belief that it takes a community to raise a child,” says Mary. While raising three daughters of her own, she noticed that some of her children’s friends didn’t have access to certain opportunities and experiences that her family was used to, and felt that something needed to be done to change that. Now, being involved with BBBS has allowed Mary to give back to the community by taking these kids under her wing and providing them with love and support. “To Pittsburgh, BBBS means that our youth has the opportunity to spend time with committed adults who genuinely care about their success in school and in the community,” says Mary. “A gift of time can make a world of difference in a child’s life.”
Today, we have over 30 Peoples employees involved with BBBS, all of whom have nothing but great things to say about the program and their littles. “Every child that I have mentored has enriched my life in different ways,” says Mary. And while this program can come with its own set of challenges and obstacles for both the volunteers and littles, nothing can compare to the bond forged between the big brothers and sisters and their matches. Mary has seen two of her community-based littles graduate from high school and college, while Joe has been with his match since childhood, witnessing the many milestones that come with puberty. “It’s so rewarding to be able to try and impact a young person’s life in a positive way,” says Joe. “It allows you to develop a meaningful relationship and gain a new friend.”
As for the impact that BBBS of Greater Pittsburgh has on our community, Joe says it best: “Almost without fail, each year 100 percent of graduating BBBS littles have a plan for the next phase of their lives—whether it be higher education, trade school, or the military. It’s a compelling testament to what BBBS and its mentoring relationships mean to Pittsburgh youth. And imagine what a positive impact creating productive and successful young adults has on our region!"
Blaise Jenkins, Corporate Partnerships and Events Manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh, echoes Joe’s sentiments. “These children are the future of the Pittsburgh community," Blaise says, "and we should want them to have the resources and support they need to grow up and become productive members of society.”
For our employees, and for all of those dedicated members of the BBBS community here in Pittsburgh, this program makes an impact every day—on the region, on the volunteers, and on the children.
“Becoming a Big was one of the best decisions I have ever made,” Blaise tells us. “My little and I have become very close over the last five years, and I consider her like family. I smile every time I think about her.”