Big Brothers Big Sister Columbia Northwest

Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest named the 2007 Exceptional Oregon Mentor Program
In the past year, Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest served 2,045 children in Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Clark and Cowlitz Counties, making the agency the largest big Brothers Big Sisters program on the West Coast and the largest mentoring agency in Oregon. Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest has mentoring programs for African American children, Latino children, children in Title I schools, children of incarcerated parents, and children in foster care.

A year ago, Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest was named Big Brothers Big Sisters Agency of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. There are 450 agencies nationwide. Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest first started matching children in the Portland area in 2002.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest matches children ages 6 to 16 with a Big Brother or Big Sister for friendship, guidance and support. Research shows that children who are matched with a Big Brother or Sister are less likely to use alcohol and drugs, less likely to miss school or lie to their parents, get better grades and are happier and more successful overall.

Big Brothers share their lives with kids Craig Pyle, Lake Oswego, is a relative newcomer to the Big Brother program, but he thoroughly enjoys the relationship he’s already developed with his Little Brother.

Craig Pyle, Lake Oswego, is a relative newcomer to the Big Brother program, but he thoroughly enjoys the relationship he’s already developed with his Little Brother.

The Lake Oswego Review, Aug 16, 2007
At first glance, Craig Pyle and Bob Field appear to have little in common.

Pyle, 49, lives in Lake Oswego, is a senior associate for Bradson Technology and is unmarried. Field, 57, lives in West Linn, works in the mortgage business and has a wife and two older boys. However, a similar passion for volunteering and helping children has drawn them both to the same Big Brothers Big Sisters program. To read more click here.

Big Brother has arrived in Longview Photo by Roger Werth - Big Brother Mark Brassard gives his "little brother," 12-year-old James of Kelso, batting pointers Tuesday evening at Tam O'Shanter Park in Kelso.

Photo by Roger Werth - Big Brother Mark Brassard gives his "little brother," 12-year-old James of Kelso, batting pointers Tuesday evening at Tam O'Shanter Park in Kelso.

The nationwide youth mentorship program Big Brothers Big Sisters in January opened a full-fledged office in Cowlitz County, expanding a limited program launched two years ago. Now, with a full-time coordinator, the nonprofit group can make its programs more accessible to local children, organization officials say. To read more click here.

Coaches Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith to Appear in Super Bowl PSA Highlighting the Importance of Mentoring
CBS, the NFL and Big Brothers Big Sisters have joined forces to create a 15-second public service announcement highlighting the importance of mentoring to debut during Super Bowl XLI airing on CBS Network Sunday, Feb. 4th. In a Super Bowl first, the in-game PSA will feature the two coaches whose teams are competing in the game. The roughly 90 million viewers who tune in to watch the game will see Indianapolis Colts' Coach Tony Dungy and Coach Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears underscore the importance of mentoring by referencing their real-life mentoring relationship. To read more click here.

BBBSNW Launches New Amachi Website
Amachi Big Brothers Big Sisters is a direct response to the recent growth in prison populations across the country. Between 1991 and 1999, the number of children with a parent in a federal or state correctional facility increased by more than 100% from 900,000 to 2,000,000. Presently, there are more than 2.5 million children whose parents are behind bars in the U.S. To learn more about how Big Brothers Big Sisters Northwest is supporting children of incarcerated parents, visit our new Amachi website by clicking here.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Portland and Southwest Washington Merge!

On June 19, 2006 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Portland (BBBSMP) announced it will merge with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington (BBBSSW) to form Big Brothers Big Sisters Northwest. Both agencies provide one-to-one mentoring programs for at-risk children, as well as school based mentoring. The merger, which will produce a region-wide Big Brothers Big Sisters agency, will leverage the combined resources of both chapters to enhance local services and programs. To read more click here.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Portland is the National Agency of the Year!

On June 14, 2005 Big Brothers Big Sisters of America awarded Portland's chapter the title of Agency of the Year. Big Brothers Big Sisters Metropolitan Portland was recognized as the leader among the organization's 500 agencies that serve children in more than 5,000 communities across the nation. To read more click here.