Adult Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers sought in Nashua during National Mentoring Month

In recognition of National Mentoring Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua and Greater Salem is calling for volunteers to provide supportive mentoring relationships for youths. The driving forces behind the month are the Harvard Mentoring Project of the Harvard School of Public Health, the Mentor/ National Mentoring Partnership and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a lead partner. Just in time for National Mentoring Month, BBBS Nashua/Salem was selected to receive funding from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America as part of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s investment in Big Brothers Big Sister’s mentoring programs. Among the 97 BBBS affiliate agencies receiving grants, BBBS Nashua/Salem will receive $78,750. The funding will build on the organization’s partnerships with local and national juvenile justice organizations, and most important, will allow BBBS Nashua/Salem to make 45 new mentoring matches with youths who have had contact with or who may be at risk for having contact with the juvenile justice system. “Youth served by Big Brothers Big Sisters are those who face significant adversities, such as severe poverty or a home where a parent has been incarcerated,” said Joy Barrett, CEO of BBBS Nashua/Salem. “It’s our mission to provide youth with strong, enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better forever. “This funding will allow us to reach even more of the young people that need us most.” In fiscal 2011, BBBS Nashua/Salem received Office of Juvenile Justice funding to match 75 youths in Nashua. “If there was ever a time to volunteer as a mentor, it is now,” said Melissa Goerbig-Frizzell, chief operating officer of BBBS Nashua/Salem.