Our mission is to provide a mentor to every child in Southwestern Illinois who wants and needs one. Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. In Southwestern Illinois, we have been the leader in one-to-one mentoring service for 29 years, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves children, ages 6 through 18 in St. Clair, Clinton, Monroe and Madison counties.

In 2009, the agency served 970 children matched with mentors and an additional 1,100 children in group programs.

Our Programs

Community Mentoring Program - Volunteers and children are matched together and spend time doing activities in the community. Volunteers pick up a child from their home and explore the world together. In 2009, 349 children were matched in the community program.

School Mentoring Program - Volunteers meet with the Little Brother or Little Sister once a week a school. They often spend time shooting hoops, reading in the library, sharing lunch together or sometimes working on school work. In 2009, 621 children were matched in the school program.

Counseling Program - Short term counseling is offered to children and families. In 2009, 65 children received counseling.

Life Choices Program - Small groups of middle school students meet to learn about life skills, making good decisions and communication skills. In 2009, 65 children enrolled in the Life Choices Program.

Group Activities - Recreational and education activities were provided to more than 750 children and volunteers in 2009

Measurable Impacts
Research conducted by Public/Private Ventures of children enrolled in Big Brother Big Sister agencies across the country shows that youth who are matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister for at least one year are: More confident in their schoolwork performance Able to get along better with their families 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs 27% less likely to begin using alcohol 33% less likely to engage in violent behavior 52% less likely to skip school.

The 2009 Program Outcome Evaluations conducted with volunteers, teachers and parents of children enrolled in our agency show equal or better outcomes in the same areas measured by the national study.

2009 Financial Report

Revenue
Contributions	$117,634
United Way	46,417
Special Events	285,831
Grants	255,140
Fee For Service(County)	69,078
Interest Income	3,932
	TOTAL: $778,031
Expenses
Program Services	$755,503 (83%)
Administrative	58,053 (6%)
Fund Raising	101,351 (11%)
	TOTAL: $914,907 (100%)
Change in Net Assets	($136,875)
Net Assets 1/1/07	267,080
Net Assets, End of Year	130,205

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2008 Board of Directors

Officers

John Barud, Chair	Richard Lloyd, Vice-Chairman
Laura Whetstone, Treasurer	Jane Coffey, Secretary

Directors

Bruce Benhoff
Bruce Bone
Sharon Byrd
Robert Dahm
Ron Hodgkins
Ray Kelly
Kevin Meder
Jeanne Newton
Robert Pickerell
Tieshka Williams

Leadership Team
Barbara A. Cempura, President and CEO
Darlene Jones, Vice-President of Programs
Beverly Holland, Program Manager
Terri McKee, Program Manager
Missy Athmer, Director of Marketing