Big Brothers Big Sisters of Illinois Capital Region ( BBBS ) was organized and incorporated in 1972. A group of ten members of the community recognized a need for a mentoring program that focused on positive youth development. During the first year of the organization, 50 children were matched with positive adult mentors ( Big Brothers and Big Sisters ). During the first two years, the program was run strictly by volunteers, many of whom worked out of their own homes. In 1976, BBBS hired its first Executive Director, Debra Beard, who served the agency for nearly 30 years. In 1999, after identifying the need for mentoring services in Christian County, Big Brothers Big Sisters expanded its services to include Christian County, and an office opened in Taylorville. In January 2007, the agency began serving children in Montgomery County. The agency's current Executive Director, Chris Hembrough began July 2007.Big Brothers Big Sisters offers one-to-one mentoring relationships to children who have been referred to us, either by a parent or a teacher. We serve children in Sangamon, Christian, Macoupin and Montgomery Counties through both the Community-Based and School-Based Mentoring programs. In 2008, BBBS served 875 children through our mentoring programs.As we continue to serve more children and make an impact in our community, we will serve these children as we always have--one child at a time.

Surbeck, Kathryn S

Howard, Leslie

Nursery School

State of Illinois