Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey

Give with Curchin in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey (BBBSCNNJ)

The Curchin Group is rallying donations for BBBSCNNJ as part of its charity spotlight series. BBBSCNNJ has long been doing crucial, wonderful work in our community and their ongoing efforts are even more important during these difficult times.

BBBSCNNJ: Mission & Mentoring Programs

BBBSCNNJ provides one-to-one mentoring for youth ages 6-18 through its Community Based, School Based, Workplace, College, Bigs in Blue, and Back on Track mentoring programs. By placing children in a quality mentoring relationship, BBBSCNNJ is able to provide them with the tools they need to become competent, confident, and caring members of their community.

  • Community Based program connects children ages 6-15 with committed volunteers that are 19 years of age or older. “Bigs” and “Littles” spend quality one-to-one time out in the community for 4-6 hours a month.
  • School Based program establishes partnerships with school districts to reach more children in group mentoring settings under the supervision of BBBS staff.
  • Workplace program gives students a glimpse into local businesses such as hospitals and corporations, with employees volunteering to mentor on decision-making, college and career preparedness, workplace diversity, and more.
  • College program enables high school students to be mentored by college students in the college setting.
  • Bigs in Blue program connects youth with police officers who volunteer as mentors, building stronger bonds between law enforcement and the families they serve.
  • Back on Track program provides one-to-one mentoring for children ages 11-17 who have committed a first-time minor offense.

BBBSCNNJ also welcomes Monthly Visionaries to provide ongoing, consistent support so that all youth can achieve their full potential. Monthly donations help to develop graduates, community leaders, and entrepreneurs.

History

Ernest Coulter, a court clerk from New York City, started New York Big Brothers in 1904, which would eventually become Big Brothers Big Sisters. The following year, Catholic Big Sisters, the first known Big Sisters program in the country, was formed in New York.

In 1976, Monmouth County resident Curtis Colby began mentoring a boy named Joey whose father had died. Joey was receiving counseling services, and Curtis volunteered to spend time with Joey through CPC. Curtis soon realized the positive impact his one-to-one friendship had on Joey. Joey had a younger brother who had an equal need for a positive male adult, and Curtis was determined to find him one. Curtis took it upon himself to contact Monmouth County Division of Social Services and with their support and his leadership, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County was officially established.

Over the years, the need to expand mentoring programs into Middlesex County became more apparent. Through countless efforts, the agency gained approval by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to serve the youth in the county, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties was formed on January 1, 2011.

In 2020, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties expanded to also serve Bergen, Passaic, Hunterdon, Morris, Ocean, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren Counties and is now known as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey.

Impact

Each time BBBSCNNJ pairs a child with a Big Brother or Big Sister, it is the beginning of a one-to-one relationship built on trust and friendship that can blossom into a future of unlimited potential. And thanks to the first-ever nationwide impact study of a mentoring organization, they have the facts to prove it:

Youth Outcomes

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In lieu of the 2020 Curchin Open Miniature Golf Tournament for Charity, The Curchin Group is promoting local charities remotely to keep “putting” our best efforts toward the greater good, together from a distance.

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