Big Brothers Big Sisters Hosts Fort Wayne Grand Opening
Posted
Staff Report-
FORT WAYNE – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana and Southcentral Michigan held its new facility grand opening Tuesday in celebration of its expansion and future goal to serve more children in need locally. With more than 150 area business leaders, City of Fort Wayne and Allen County employees, volunteers, agency supporters from the entire 13-county area and community members in attendance, the celebration featured the announcement of an Auer Foundation $1 million gift to the agency. The press conference started with an announcement by the Edward D. and Ione Auer Foundation that it is honoring BBBS and Chief Executive Officer Josette Rider with a $1 million gift in the form of an endowment fund named after Rider. Members of the Auer Foundation spoke on how they hope the gift will encourage others to see the value of endowments and contribute to the campaign. The $1 million commitment is dedicated for use in the expansion of daily and mentoring services and programs as BBBS explores ways to expand mentoring programs, including the necessary support needed to sustain each match and the life of the mentoring relationship. By creating this endowment, the Auer Foundation is making a lasting tribute to the community, which aligns with Edward and Ione’s passion for the education of children, according to a release from BBBS. “I’m humbled by this generous gift, but the true recognition really goes out to my staff,” Rider said in the release. “I’m simply a mirror of those that work for this agency as we continue looking toward the future of what Big Brothers Big Sisters can do for the communities of our 13-county service area. Our waiting list is currently at 700 children and grows by the day. More than 70 percent of that waiting list is young boys that just need a male mentor and a friend. This gift provides us the opportunity to focus on getting these kids matched and put on the path to success versus the other alternatives and challenges they will face in life without a mentor.” The message was further driven home by a speech from a “Little” in the program named John. John spoke of how his mother was murdered and his father had left him and his sister as young children. It was through his relationship with his Big Brother Brad and his supportive grandparents that John has excelled in school and looks forward to a career as a fighter pilot. His message focused on the fact that many kids are just like him and that having a friend and mentor can be the difference between a successful or troubled childhood and life. “We have prided ourselves in facilitating relationships that are fun for the volunteers and impactful for the children,” said Rider. “But this new facility allows us to be very intentional in helping kids prepare academically and socially for what the world has to throw at them. New study areas, our College Success Mentoring dedicated room, interactive technology and a fun game room are all available to make the job of the volunteer easier and more successful.” In 2012, BBBS of Northeast Indiana and Southcentral Michigan supported 1,993 matches between volunteers and children in need, and the agency is on track to support 2,000 this year, according to the release. It won Agency of the Year, Board of the Year and had the Big Sister of the Year on a national level.
