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 2008, the agency matched 1,008 children with mentors, a 9.6% increase in the number of children matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister in 2007.

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 2008, 358 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 2008, 650 children were matched in the school program.

Counseling Program - Short term counseling is offered to children and families. In 2008, 76 children and families received counseling services.

Life Choices Program - Small groups of middle school students meet to learn about life skills, making good decisions and communication skills. In 2008, 84 children participated in the Life Choices Program.

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 2008 Program Outcome Evaluations conducted with volunteers, teachers and parents of children enrolled at our agency show equal or better outcomes in the same areas measured by the national study.

2008 Financial Report

Revenue
Contributions	$76,366
United Way	50,910
Special Events	286,723
Grants	171,905
Fee For Service(County)	73,022
Interest Income	73,022
	TOTAL: $674,236
Expenses
Program Services	$699,362 (87%)
Administrative	63,330 (9%)
Fund Raising	111,037 (14%)
	TOTAL: $873,983
Change in Net Assets	($199,747)
Net Assets 1/1/07	466,827
Net Assets, End of Year	$267,080

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2008 Board of Directors

Officers

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

Directors
Bruce Bone
Robert Dahm
Eric Gudmestad
Ron Hodgkins
Richard Lloyd
Kevin Meder
Jeanne Newton
Robert Pickerell
Ron Seabaugh
Jeff Strieker

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