From staff reports
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Oil Region has been a positive force in the lives of children in our area since 1994.
After 24 years of serving the community as an affiliate of Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), the organization has decided to disaffiliate from the National Association.
While the name change will have minimal effect on the community-based mentoring program, it is the most cost effective way to best fit the needs of the community, according to FSCAS.
Adopting a new model will give the organization greater control over the costs associated with service delivery and will allow it to operate more efficiently for the families they serve.
Beginning July 1, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Oil Region will officially be known as Youth Connection.
It will continue operating as a program under the umbrella of Family Service & Children’s Aid Society.
In 1994, FSCAS recognized the need for mentors in Venango and Forest County and has since then has expanded the mentoring services to include Clarion and eastern Crawford Counties.
To assist in the new venture, it will become a program partner of The Mentoring Partnership of Southwest Pennsylvania, which will allow the organization to receive support, training, and technical assistance on various aspects of program development and implementation.
Jessica Walters, program director, said, “we are very excited about this new opportunity to partner with the Mentoring Partnership and feel this is going to be the best opportunity for our community to provide local youth with a screened, trained, and supervised mentor that they want and need.”
For more information, call (814) 676-9940, Ext. 28.