Mentoring Program to Help Children of South Florida Military Families

Mentoring Program to Help Children Of South Florida Military Families
Nationally Renowned Program is First in Florida

For Immediate Release

Contact: Angela Melvin

Communications Director

(202) 731-1778

(WEST PALM BEACH, FL)--- August 9, 2012--Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, children of South Florida active duty military and veterans and their families, Representative Allen West (R-FL) and other distinguished community leaders are proud to announce a new mentoring program to serve the children of South Florida military families. 

The first-of-its-kind program in Palm Beach and Martin Counties focuses on providing one-to-one mentoring to children of currently serving and recently returning service members now living in South Florida. An estimated 1,230 children of military service members reside in Palm Beach County and an estimated 110 children of military service members reside in Martin County.  

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Military Mentoring program will provide mentors for children of veterans and active duty service members so they realize their potential and build positive futures. The program’s goal is to provide a source of strength and stability for families that have sacrificed during deployments overseas.

"Many people do not realize how many military families we have living right here in Palm Beach and Martin Counties," said Big Brothers Big Sisters Palm Beach and Martin Counties Chief Executive Officer Bill Bee.  "Big Brothers Big Sisters is thrilled to be able to serve the children of our veterans. This program is a long time coming and our community will no doubt be better off because of it."

"As a 22-year Army veteran, I know personally the pain of leaving my own two daughters behind as I deployed to serve my country," West said. "The Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program will be a huge benefit to our local military families."

Please join us a week from today:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Military Mentoring Program Kick-Off
Thursday, August 16th12:30 pm
1700 Kirk Rd, West Palm Beach, FL 33406

*Palm Beach County military spouse Tamika McCray and her children Jeremiah, Joshua, and Isaiah have been officially chosen as the first family inducted into the Military Mentoring Program.  They will be on hand to tell their story.

BACKGROUND:  Big Brothers Big Sisters Palm Beach and Martin Counties provides children facing adversity aged 6-17 with volunteer mentors who serve as positive role models. Since 1986 the organization has provided mentors to children in Martin County and since July 2010 in Palm Beach County. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) recognized the Martin County organization in 2007 as one of the 35 best performing agencies nationwide. BBBSA recognized CEO William P. Bee Jr. as “CEO of the Year- Small Agency Category” in 2007. South Florida Business Leader Magazine ranked BBBS in 2009, 2010 and again in 2011 as one of the top 100 South Florida small businesses. Visit www.mentorbig.org to learn more.