Big Brothers Big Sisters offer new school-based program

The Ponca City office of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma is offering something new and exciting in local schools. The agency’s first school-based mentoring matches in Ponca City were made this week at Lincoln Elementary.

One of these new school based matches pairs Ponca City Chief of Police and Big Brother Don Bohon with his new Little Brother, Antwone. When asked why he wanted to be a Big Brother, Chief Bohon said “I truly believe that it takes a village, and Ponca City is my village. I feel like I have a responsibility to do what I can to help kids who need help and this is one way I could do it.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Specialist Jessica Freeman said that when Antwone got called to the office to be introduced to his new Big Brother, “he was absolutely giddy with excitement.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with a caring adult mentor to change the child’s life for the better, forever. BBBS opened its Ponca City office in September of 2016, and these new school-based matches are in addition to the growing number of community based matches that the agency is already supporting. School based matches are made when a Big commits to visiting their Little at school for one hour a week, every week.

“The results from this type of mentoring are astounding,” Area Director Jon Cunningham said.

“After one year in one of our mentoring relationships, 97 percent of the children we serve have improved self-confidence, 93 percent improve academically, and 96 percent have a better sense of their futures.” Cunningham said.

The other new school-based match is between Betty Rutz and her new Little Sister. When asked about her new match, Betty said “I am so excited to get to know this enthusiastic little girl. I have seen how mentoring helps children deal positively with the pressures and challenges they face and I am convinced that BBBS, with its proven programs, is the right vehicle to set our youth on their best path forward.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters has an agreement that allows them to offer school based mentoring in every public elementary school in Ponca City. If you feel that your child would benefit from having a Big, contact their teacher or counselor to refer them to the program.

To get involved as a mentor and make a BIG difference in the life of a child or to make a donation to support Big Brothers Big Sisters in Ponca City, contact Jon Cunningham, Area Director, at (580) 749-5116 or visit www.bbbsok.org.