02 Jul Dana Brown Charitable Trust Awards $25,000 Grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois (BBBSIL)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois (BBBSIL) recently received a grant of $25,000 in general operating support from the Dana Brown Charitable Trust to provide 1:1 youth mentorship to children and youths facing various adversity in the St. Louis metro region of Illinois, aiming to improve their grades, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.

Funding from the Dana Brown Charitable Trust specifically pays for the ongoing resources, support services, and qualified staff needed to sustain and expand the 1:1 mentoring program, enabling BBBSIL to make lasting matches and foster meaningful relationships between youths and caring adult mentors. The grant will allow BBBSIL to directly serve 150 Littles and indirectly serve another 125 children and youths through wrap-around services like hygiene kits and school supplies, benefitting a total of 275 individuals in need.

This project solves the problem of inadequate mentorship and support for at-risk children and youths by providing them with dedicated adult mentors who can guide and empower them to overcome adversity, achieve success in school, and avoid risky behaviors.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois (BBBSIL) is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA). Their target population consists of children and youths referred to as “Littles” who face various challenges and adversity, particularly those living in a 25-mile radius around East St. Louis in the St. Louis metro region of Illinois. The program actively recruits adult volunteers called “Bigs” from partner organizations such as police and fire departments, Scott Air Force Base, The National Pan Hellenic Council and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (East St. Louis), and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.