Vincent Thomas, Parry Elliott, and First Lady Laura Bush at the opening ceremonies for the Big Brothers Big Sisters National Conference.
|
First Lady Laura Bush was the featured speaker at the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) National Conference on Thursday, June 9, in Washington, DC. Since 1998, OJJDP has allocated almost $30 million in earmarked funding to BBBS. OJJDP's $7 million funding for fiscal year 2005 is helping BBBS operate and expand services at regional training centers, award subgrants to affiliates for school- and faith-based mentoring, pilot a new service delivery model, and develop a management information system for local affiliates.
In her remarks, Mrs. Bush applauded the effectiveness of the Amachi mentoring program, which provides children of incarcerated parents with mentors from faith-based organizations. She was introduced by Parry Elliott and his Big Brother, Vincent Thomas, who were matched through Amachi.
A longtime supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mrs. Bush told the 700 conference attendees that "Amachi mentors provide love, guidance, and friendship. They serve as role models, showing children a positive image of what it means to be a responsible adult. For boys who grow up without fathers, this is often their first understanding of responsible manhood—and the experience can change their lives."
She closed her remarks by noting, "Children want us in their lives and children need us in their lives. And as I've learned from the remarkable men and women I've met here today and across our country, each of us has the power to make the difference in the life of a child."
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit www.bbbsa.org.
|
