Silver City – Big Brothers Big Sisters Mountain Region is proud to announce the addition of Donna Guevara as Program Specialist in Silver City, as well as the opening of their local office. BBBS has been rebuilding in Grant County since the middle of 2015. As the program has grown so has the need for a local staff person, as well as a local office. Currently approximately 30 children are being served in the program with more lined up to be matched with a Big soon.

Donna Guevara was in the Air Force for 8 years as a Mental Health Technician, helping Airmen deal with issues such as PTSD and depression and assisting families in dealing with the deployments of their family members. She has lived in Minnesota, Colorado, Texas and North Carolina before coming to Silver City about a year ago, where she has gotten involved in the community including as a CASA for Grant County children. She is currently working part time as a Program Specialist interviewing, matching and supporting children and volunteers for the BBBS program, and is finishing her Masters in Social Work at WNMU.

"I am so excited to have Donna on board and to have a place that we can call our own; this will enable us to serve even more children." said local Board member and Big Sister Edith Lee, "It is a joy to be a part of this program, as it has been rebuilt and re-established in Grant County."

The new office is located at 1016 N. Pope Street. Hours are not regular, as Donna is a part time staff person and hours are set to accommodate families and volunteers coming in for interviews. There will be a ribbon cutting and open house at the office on Tuesday, October 24 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm and all are invited to come by, help celebrate the opening and find out more about being involved with the program.

"It is heartwarming and gratifying to be at this point of opening an office and hiring a local Program Specialist in Grant County. I love coming to Silver City from Las Cruces to build this program, but I know how much more quickly we will be able to grow with these additions." Says Regional Director, Dawn Starostka. "We are so grateful to the businesses and individuals who have believed in us since we started this rebuild program in mid-2015 and cannot thank the community enough for their support."

Big Brothers Big Sisters mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Research shows that children with a mentor are more likely to succeed in school and graduate, have better relationships, are more likely to avoid risky behaviors around drugs and alcohol and have higher aspirations for the future. For information on becoming a volunteer or enrolling a child, visit www.BBBSMountainRegion.org or call Donna at 575-304-3003.