We've Moved!

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Western New Hampshire in Keene has moved its office. Formerly located on Emerald Street, they have moved to a larger location at 168 Castle Street. The building is shared with the Keene Housing Authority, which uses it as a community space to house social events for the residents. Both organizations have obtained mutual benefits from the shared building as BBBS now has a more spacious and professional area to meet with volunteers and children. There have been no reported problems with either party in regards to the shared space, and Facilities and Asset Manager Bruce Soper says that as long as everyone remains happy, the lease could continue past the three year contract signed by BBBS Executive Director Peg Monahan.

The new home for Big Brothers Big Sisters has a very interesting history. As former mill buildings, they are officially registered as New Hampshire Historical Buildings. They were moved from Island Street, Keene, in 2001, when the Kiritsy Center, anchored by CVS pharmacy, was built.  The buildings were originally owned by Faulkner and Colony Manufacturing Co. where they were used as a carriage house, and office space for the textile mill. More recently they served as retail space for stores such as Paul’s Aquarium and the Athletics’ Corner. The move and renovations were supported by donations from the community and the Keene Housing Authority who donated half of the necessary funds, as well as a location for the buildings. The grass-roots campaign, Save the Mill Buildings, led the fundraising efforts which drew support from many local Keene businesses and individuals.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non profit organization that provides mentorship to children in communities across America. BBBS of the Monadnock Region is a chapter of the larger organization and operates three facilities in Keene, Peterborough and Claremont. The youth served have socioeconomic needs that are greater than what their support systems can provide. Through the volunteers who act as mentors, these children have the opportunity to thrive and become functioning adults. In 2009 BBBS of Western New Hampshire served over 450 children, and are already on track to exceed that number in 2010.

For more information about the BBBS program, or with any questions regarding the move contact Peg Monahan at 352-9536 ext 101.

Staff Members Karen Brook, Program Coordinator, and Samantha Clough, Marketing and Recruiting Coordinators have teamed up to open a new Big Brothers Big Sisters office in Sullivan County. Together they are launching the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program for the Second Chance Youth and Family Intervention Program. The other Big Brothers Big Sisters Programs involve Mentoring Child of a Prisoners, Mentoring Partnerships with Schools, Mentoring for Children with Disabilities, Mentoring for Foster Kids, and Mentoring for Abused Children. Call 603-283-0849 to volunteer or to enroll your child. Or e-mail: kbrook@bbbswnh.org or sclough@bbbswnh.org

The 2nd Chance Juvenile Mentoring Initiative provides targeted intervention for adjudicated youth 14-17 year olds in Sullivan County who are at risk for placement or who have already been placed outside the home. The goal is to reduce the need for expensive residential placement for these youth and help them build positive, productive futures. This program is here to make a real difference in the lives of youth and their families.

In this collaborative project, high-risk youth receive a range of services including family treatment through Child and Family Services. Big Brothers and Big Sisters will recruit and train mentors interested in helping these youth improve their lives. Families will be able to take classes through Community Alliance of Human Services. Each client is assigned a case manager and a Juvenile Probation and Parole Officer.

This program is a collaboration of:

• Sullivan County Board of Commissioners
• Newport District Court and Family Division
• NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services
• Child and Family Services of NH
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western NH
• Community Alliance of Human Services
• Communities United for Substance Abuse Prevention

In describing his commitment to the program, Judge Bruce Cardello of the Newport District Court and Family Division says, “We are excited by the prospect of really helping these families work their way out of future court-involvement. The project also gives other interested members of our community the chance to be part of the solution by coming forward to mentor these young people. We are becoming more innovative in our court approaches to juvenile delinquency now, but we need the support of volunteers and other agencies to create supportive community environments for our youth.”

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For questions, please call Peg Monahan at 1-603-352-9536 ext. 101