Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Kicks Off Campaign With Arby's Foundation to Recruit Men as Volunteer Mentors

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Kicks Off Campaign With Arby's Foundation to Recruit Men as Volunteer Mentors

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has launched the "Campaign for Men," a 13-month national program to recruit men, especially African-Americans and Hispanics, to mentor boys in communities across the United States. Campaign components range from advertising in mainstream media to grassroots efforts in Big Brothers Big Sisters' 400+ agencies. This program is being funded in part by a generous grant from the Arby's Foundation. Arby's(R), the largest corporate sponsor of Big Brothers Big Sisters, has been working with the organization and its local agencies for more than twenty years.

"We can change what it means to grow up in America," said Judy Vredenburgh, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Independent research has shown that the Big Brothers Big Sisters model of professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring reduces violence and truancy, and improves children's relationships with their peers and families. "The more children, especially boys, we can mentor, the better their prospects -- and our nation's -- become," said Vredenburgh.

"We are pleased that our first grant initiative went to a program that will have a powerful, real impact on America's youth," said Greg Hawkins, Senior Vice President of Community Partnerships, Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. "The Big Brothers Big Sisters 'Campaign for Men' is a real call to action crusade that can make a difference in so many lives."

More than 70% of the children waiting for a "Big" (mentor) are boys, but only three out of every ten inquiries about volunteering come from men. More than 50% of the boys Big Brothers Big Sisters serves are African-American, while only 15% of its male volunteers are African-American.

According to research conducted among black men, they need to know that their skills and experiences qualify them to be Bigs, that they will be able to fit the time required into their lives, and that they will get ideas on activities from Big Brothers Big Sisters. The organization, which already has an Hispanic initiative in place, is conducting research on how to recruit more Hispanics.

The public service TV campaign will feature testimonials from real people -- Big Brothers who are making a difference in the lives of the children they mentor.

Celebrities Troy Aikman (Former Dallas Cowboys player and member of the Football Hall of Fame), Hill Harper ("CSI:NY"), and others will also appear in public service announcements.

Grassroots programs include "Bigs Asking Bigs," events for African-American Bigs to recruit male friends, family members and colleagues; and a program to recruit at barbershops, spearheaded by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

About the Arby's Foundation

The Arby's Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation, is grounded in the belief that every individual has the power to make a difference. Since its inception in 1986, the Arby's Foundation has raised more than $29 million through Arby's Charity Tour events, in-store fundraising and community events to support youth education and mentoring initiatives. For more information on the Arby's Foundation, please visit www.arbysfoundation.org.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters, BigBrothersBigSisters.org, is the largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. With more than 400 affiliates across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam, it served 242,000 children in 2006 -- more than twice the number of five years ago. Independent research shows that its model of professionally supported one-to-one relationships between young people and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters has a measurable, positive impact. Children in the program are less likely to skip school, begin using alcohol and illegal drugs, and be involved in violence. Big Brothers Big Sisters works with policymakers and community leaders across the country to expand access to mentoring for children in need. The organization is currently focusing on recruiting Big Brothers, especially African-Americans and Hispanics.

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Source: Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

CONTACT: Jill Godsey of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America,
+1-215-665-7730, jill.godsey@bbbs.org; or Emily Crawford of Arby's Foundation,
+1-678-514-5152

Web site:

http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org/
http://www.arbysfoundation.org/

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