Big Role Models: Big Brother Big Sister

The Russian charity sector, while still developing, does contain some very credible organizations doing incredible work. One such organization is Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). My involvement with this charity over the last two years has enabled me observe the work they do. I have found it nothing short of inspiring.

For those not familiar with the organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and most effective youth mentoring program in the world. It was established over 100 years ago in the United States and currently operates in twelve countries worldwide, helping over 280,000 children.

The mission of BBBS is to help disadvantaged children to reach their full potential through a professionally-supported, one-to-one relationship with an adult. These friendships are carefully selected and professionally monitored matches that last for years.

The Russian chapter was started over fifteen years ago. BBBSR currently operates in seven regions – Moscow, Perm, Tambov, Kirov, Yoshkar-Ola, Yaroslavl, and Tumen – and its programs are running in sixteen cities including Moscow.

BBBS is registered as an official charity in Russia, operating under the BBBS International code of compliance and standards. At present we practice the most established, authoritative, and well-monitored mentoring program for children in Russia. We are certified by the State Institute of Family and Social Upbringing and are annually audited by the Russian state, a professional accounting firm, and most recently by United Way.

The organization works with the children of orphanages from the ages of five to eighteen and with children from single-parent families. In 2007, we made 439 matches in Russia. A large percentage of our “coordinators” – the people responsible for making and monitoring the matches – are volunteers.

What this means for the Russian children who are taken into the program is that they are better able to realize their potential, creating a better future for themselves, their country, and the global community.

Becoming a Big Brother or a Big Sister is a life changing event, not only for the young person being mentored, but for the big brother or sister who volunteers. It is also a considerable commitment, but a very rewarding one.

To find out more about BBBS or to find out more about how you or your business can support this organization, please call +7 (495) 781-7520, or visit it at www.bbbs.org or www.bbbsrussia.org.  

BBBSR BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Chairman: Stephen O'Connor (AIG/Lincoln)

Vice Chairman: John Delargy (Blackwood)

Co- Treasurer: Peter Reinhardt (Ernst & Young)

Co-Treasurer: Robert Gruman (PWC)

Secretary: Sergey Sirotenko (PWC)

Board Members: Dora Rechnitzer, Max Hosford (Hosford Properties);

Walter Martinovich (Rombus); Victor Petrovich Golovanov (Press-

Attaché Federation Council)

Honorary Director: Ambassador Justin Harmon (Embassy of Ireland)

Executive Director: Roman Sklotskiy (roman.sklotskiy@bbbsrussia.org)