Silver City - Big Brothers Big Sisters Mountain Region has been rebuilding in Grant County since the middle of 2015. As awareness that the program is stronger and more stable has grown, so has the waiting list of children who need a Big Brother or a Big Sister. The agency is reaching out to adults in the community to consider becoming a volunteer.

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.

Volunteers - "Bigs" - must be at least 18 years old and pass a background check and interview and are then matched with a child with similar personality and interests and will spend a minimum of 4 to 6 hours per month together doing any activity that both enjoy - hiking, crafts, games, the park, a movie, a museum, or anything else both the Little and the Big would like to do.

"It's about changing a child's life.... And ultimately about improving our community one child at a time. And it only takes a few hours a month to make a BIG difference." Says Regional Director Dawn Starostka. "Please consider volunteering."

Adults interested in volunteering should visit www.BBBSMountainRegion.org and click on "Volunteer" to fill out an initial inquiry. They can also call 575-523-9530 to get more information.