Williamsport- NEPA’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Use grants to update agency software and computers to streamline and facilitate the one-on-one youth / mentor matching process.
NEPA’s BBBS recently received a $ 10,219 Foundation grant from the Williamsport Lycoming Community Fund’s Capacity Development Grant Program in Pennsylvania’s first Community Foundation Partnership.
Since its founding in 1974, NEPA’s BBBS has served the counties of Carbon, Colombia, Rakkawana, Lucerne, Monroe, Montur, Northumberland, Union, Snyder and Wyoming. Currently, about 100 young people in 11 counties are eligible for this program. There are 25 youth / mentor matches in Lycoming County, with an annual match goal of 35.
Adolescents aged 7-14 match the role model of teens over 16 or a positive adult to stimulate and ignite adolescent potential.
“What we need is technology-based,” said Michelle Hamilton, Executive Director of BBBSNEPA. “Many of our interviews are done via ZOOM and other virtual platforms,” she explained, and it takes months to get referral forms, applications, and other documents back due to slow emails. I added that there is also. “Many of our support staff’s equipment is old, non-existent, or needs to be upgraded.”
Funding for the BBBS program is provided through United Way, state and federal grants, personal donations, and funding efforts.
Gloss