Celebrating 10 years of serving children in Clinton County

This school year marks the Big Brothers Big Sisters 10th anniversary of serving children in Clinton County. Over the past 10 years 15 schools including 4 high schools, in Clinton County have participated in the program. To help celebrate the 10 year partnership, Big Brothers Big Sisters is donating playground balls and planting a tree at each of our participating schools.

Volunteers come from Carlyle, Central, Mater Dei and Wesclin high schools who serve as mentors to the students in Aviston, Breese, Beckemeyer, Carlyle Elementary, Carlyle Jr. High, Germantown, New Baden, St. George, St. Mary's and Trenton grade schools. They use their lunch periods and study breaks to spend time together.

"We could not provide Big Brothers Big Sisters services to the students without a close working relationship with the faculty and staff at each of the schools. We appreciate their partnership in our efforts to provide a mentor for every child who wants and needs one" said Barbara Cempura, President and CEO of Big Brother Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois.

Colleen McDermott and Julie Pena serve as the Big Brothers Big Sisters School Coordinators for Clinton County who are responsible for matching and supporting the volunteers and students who enroll in the program.

In the 2009-2010 school year, more than 160 elementary students in Clinton County were matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister volunteer.