Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle fighting for funding
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- With federal funding cuts and donations slowing, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle says their financial situation is getting pretty dire.
"If you've ever had a mentor, had someone touch your life, we need your support to help touch more children's lives," BBBS of the Triangle Chief Executive Officer Kimberly Breeden said.
Breeden is making her plea to help stop the hemorrhaging of funds that has hit the organization so hard.
"We've had to lay off several program staff, a total of seven people, over the last six to eight months and that definitely impacts our service to the community...the children that we serve," Breeden said.
The organization pairs at risk children with a mentor, who take them on outings and build a relationship with the child and their family.
BBBS of the Triangle has lost $350,000 in federal funding in the last two years and says they now have 250 children on a waiting list for a mentor.
Breeden says most of the children come from single-parent homes and a mentor can change their lives.
"We reduce crime in our community. These kids that are involved with a big brother big sister, they are less likely to get involved in the juvenile justice system," Breeden said. "If we can keep these kids in school, get their education, and get them into a college or a trade school, that has a major impact in our community. That keeps them off the street and becoming productive citizens."
The organization is hoping for donations. If not, Breeden says the results could be devastating.
"We'll have to continue to reduce staff and we'll definitely not be able to serve a thousand children as we have in the past and it's possible if we don't raise any new additional funding, we would have to close some of our matches that have been together for years. That would be a major impact in those children's lives."
Click here to donate to BBBS of the Triangle.
