CHARLEVOIX, MI: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan is pleased to announce it has received a $2,500 grant award from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation to expand mentor-youth matches in Charlevoix County. The grant is awarded by the foundation as part of its ongoing commitment to Charlevoix County communities. Throughout the year, the Charlevoix County Community Foundation brings together individuals with diverse interests and ideas, combines their gifts for the greater good, and channels those donations to a host of worthy programs and projects. Big Brothers Big Sisters is honored to be a recipient of grant funds to help match more children with a positive mentor. This award is very helpful because it comes at a critical time for the agency as we work to secure the future of so many local youth who want and need a mentor,” says Gary Swaney, Interim Executive Director for the local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency. Mr. Swaney adds that “Achieving positive outcomes is critically important to the future of the youth we serve, but without the funding to be able to recruit mentors as well as support the children we already have matched, our efforts become more challenging. The grant from the Charlevoix Community Foundation will help us serve more children throughout the county in the months ahead. We are very grateful.” Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan serves an eight county region including Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Manistee Counties. Professional staff is paid to recruit and screen volunteers, conduct background checks and interviews, assess family situations in order to enroll children, make mentoring matches, and then supervise and support the relationship once a volunteer is matched with a child. These critical services help ensure a safe, productive match that leads to positive outcomes for the children served. Children enroll in the program between the ages of 6-12, but can remain in a relationship and receive agency case management support until age 18. Funding is needed to maintain the existing relationships as well as match those children currently waiting for a mentor. Anyone in Charlevoix County interested in applying to be a Big Brother or Big Sister volunteer to a child in need is asked to contact the agency at 231-946-2447 ext. 202. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan please visit www.bigsupnorth.com. To learn more about the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, please visit www.c3f.org.