Stronger Together: Big Brothers Big Sisters Organizations Merge

SAN FRANCISCO - Oct. 24, 2017 - PRLog -- Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area announced today the closing of its merger with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay, with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area continuing as the surviving corporation.  The merger was unanimously approved by both organizations' Board of Directors.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area will now serve a total of nine counties in the Bay Area region, centralizing key functions to offer one of the only year round mentoring programs for disadvantaged youth in those counties. Combined, the organization will reach more than 1,000 children, 90% of whom are low-income, raised in single-parent homes and qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Realizing that they would be stronger together, the newly merged Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area will have a combined staff of 27 employees and a $3.4 million annual budget. Dawn Kruger, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area, commented, "We have staff, board and funders who live and have roots in the North Bay, so there is a natural fit to combine our organizations and increase services in the North Bay region."

Kruger also acknowledges that the community has recently been hit hard by the North Bay fires, citing, "Many of our staff and board members have seen devastating destruction in their hometowns and they are experiencing some significant stress and difficulties because of the fires. Our team has been making efforts to reach out to families and volunteers who they know are in the affected areas. Our hope is that we can help to support those who need it within our agency and in the broader communities that we serve."

Karen Bluestone, former Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay, notes "For 45 years, we have been providing an effective community-based mentoring program in Marin, Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties. Our sister organization, headquartered in San Francisco, has been doing the same in San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa counties. We've decided to merge to address the rising costs, the demand for mentors and the recent end to an era of government support for youth development services.  There is no doubt we are stronger together."

The unique one-to-one Big Brothers Big Sisters mentorship approach is unparalleled in rigor, shown to dramatically improve children's confidence and school performance and decrease their use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and violence. The organization is looking to expand partnerships with youth development organizations in all regions to ultimately share services and expertise with more youth.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area
Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the oldest, most respected youth-serving organizations in the country and has been changing kids' lives for over 110 years nationally and for almost 60 years in the Bay Area.  Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change kids' lives for the better, forever.  Founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1958, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area has matched more than 11,000 local boys and girls with caring mentors.  We are one of the largest organizations in a national network of over 300 Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates.  http://www.BBBSBA.org