Clarksville, Tenn. (July 23, 2019) – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville supports at-risk youth through one-to-one mentoring that empowers their potential. Local businesses have taken notice and stepped up to support these children as well with a donation to BBBS.
Veterans United recently pledged a $5,000 donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters so the agency can serve more children in the Clarksville-Montgomery County area. The act inspired local real estate firm Q Realty to match the generosity with a $5,000 donation themselves.
“Central to our company core are the ideals of passion, integrity and enhancing the lives of others,” said Amanda Dusenberry, the Clarksville Veterans United Home Loans Branch Manager. “At Veterans United, we know we achieve more collectively than we ever could individually. We are proud to enhance the lives of children and volunteers in this way.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville is equipped to provide evidence-based programming to youth who need a mentor the most, such as those with an incarcerated parent, living in single-parent homes, below the poverty line or who are at risk of being affected by the statewide opioid crisis. Due to the in-depth screening processes, staff support, coaching and follow up throughout the Mentor/Mentee relationship, it costs about $1,000 to support one Match in the BBBS program.
“Q Realty focuses on providing opportunities every day. Partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville is an opportunity to help a child realize all that they can accomplish as long as they never give up and never allow life’s challenges to get in the way of their great success,” said Tara Quirion, CEO of Q Realty. Quirion and her husband Norman Quirion – who is also a BBBS board member – are applying to become Bigs in the program to further support the agency and the children.
“Becoming a mentor is a commitment. But the opportunity to help a child overcome the adversity they face, we have to seize that opportunity, and I challenge my friends, colleagues and community leaders to step in and defend potential with us by becoming a Big Brother or a Big Sister in the program,” Norman added.
In the School Based Program, volunteers spend about 45 minutes with their Little every week while school is in session. They meet at the school, during the school day. In the Community Based program, volunteers meet with their Little two to four times a month for two to three hours each time, doing activities like going fishing, to the park or the library.
“We are fortunate that these businesses, their employees and leaders, realize the ultimate investment you can make is believing in a child,” said Chris Buerck, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville. “Combined, these donations will allow us to serve ten children in the program.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit that depends on the generosity of the community in order to operate. These donations from Veterans United and Q Realty will help effect change in the lives of children.
To learn more, please contact Executive Director Sandra Brandon at 931-647-1418 or at [email protected]
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville: Since 1975, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville has provided children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters ensures that the children in its program achieve measurable outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships. Learn more at www.bbbsclarksville.org
Veterans United recently pledged a $5,000 donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters so the agency can serve more children in the Clarksville-Montgomery County area. The act inspired local real estate firm Q Realty to match the generosity with a $5,000 donation themselves.
“Central to our company core are the ideals of passion, integrity and enhancing the lives of others,” said Amanda Dusenberry, the Clarksville Veterans United Home Loans Branch Manager. “At Veterans United, we know we achieve more collectively than we ever could individually. We are proud to enhance the lives of children and volunteers in this way.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville is equipped to provide evidence-based programming to youth who need a mentor the most, such as those with an incarcerated parent, living in single-parent homes, below the poverty line or who are at risk of being affected by the statewide opioid crisis. Due to the in-depth screening processes, staff support, coaching and follow up throughout the Mentor/Mentee relationship, it costs about $1,000 to support one Match in the BBBS program.
“Q Realty focuses on providing opportunities every day. Partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville is an opportunity to help a child realize all that they can accomplish as long as they never give up and never allow life’s challenges to get in the way of their great success,” said Tara Quirion, CEO of Q Realty. Quirion and her husband Norman Quirion – who is also a BBBS board member – are applying to become Bigs in the program to further support the agency and the children.
“Becoming a mentor is a commitment. But the opportunity to help a child overcome the adversity they face, we have to seize that opportunity, and I challenge my friends, colleagues and community leaders to step in and defend potential with us by becoming a Big Brother or a Big Sister in the program,” Norman added.
In the School Based Program, volunteers spend about 45 minutes with their Little every week while school is in session. They meet at the school, during the school day. In the Community Based program, volunteers meet with their Little two to four times a month for two to three hours each time, doing activities like going fishing, to the park or the library.
“We are fortunate that these businesses, their employees and leaders, realize the ultimate investment you can make is believing in a child,” said Chris Buerck, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville. “Combined, these donations will allow us to serve ten children in the program.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit that depends on the generosity of the community in order to operate. These donations from Veterans United and Q Realty will help effect change in the lives of children.
To learn more, please contact Executive Director Sandra Brandon at 931-647-1418 or at [email protected]
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville: Since 1975, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville has provided children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters ensures that the children in its program achieve measurable outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships. Learn more at www.bbbsclarksville.org
