Paul Moran of the Patchogue Rotary Club spoke about Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Long Island at our regular meeting on Wednesday, March 6th.
 Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Long Island is a chapter of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America,  a century-old organization that has helped change kids’ perspectives by giving them the opportunity to reach  their potential by providing positive role models and personal mentoring. They are the country’s largest evidence-based mentoring organization, committed to continuously evaluating and improving the quality of the services they provide to youth.”
 
The Long Island chapter currently serves 500 youngsters, ages 18 or younger, and has 450 young boys waiting for Big Brother mentors. The kids generally come from disadvantaged communities and families, and often present atypical behavioral issues.
 
Paul, a volunteer for Big Brothers, Big Sisters for the past seven years, and a member of their President’s Council, gave a very colorful and gripping account of his mentoring assignments. Currently mentoring his second youngster, Paul gave a detailed account of the entire process involved in screening, selecting and pairing kids with Big Brothers or Big Sisters, and of the support they receive from headquarters and the parent organization.
 
Paul also related several harrowing and frustrating experiences he’s had with the kids in his charge, as well as the joy and satisfaction he felt when they “straightened out”, achieved new goals, and were set on a path as solid citizens.
 
Big Brothers, Big Sisters holds a number of highly successful annual fundraisers. Their most pressing  need is for Big Brothers to mentor the huge backlog of boys waiting for help, Paul encouraged everyone to spread the word of their need. Applicants, 18 years of age or older, can contact Paul at  631-569-4606. You can also visit their website at: www.bbbs.org.
 
Paul is shown above with Babylon Rotary Co-Presidents Charlie Spencer and Scott Lockwood.