June 19, 2012 - Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon met with members
of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Illinois State Association regarding
our positive and measurable educational and youth development outcomes.

Media Release

For More Information, Contact:

Barbara Cempura, Illinois State Association President              Lisa Morel Las, CEO
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois                      Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties
618/698-1858                                                                             815/353-1333
bbbsbell@peaknet.net                                                                lisa.morel.las@bbbswillgrundy.org

Cindy Denby, CEO                                                                            
Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Illinois                           
217/243-3821                                                                                     
cdenby@bbbswci.org                           

Legislative Leaders Honored by Big Brothers Big Sisters Illinois State Association

Sen. Wilhelmi named “Honorary Big Brother” and Rep. Watson Named “Big Brother Emeritus”

Springfield, IL (November 8, 2011) – State Rep. Jim Watson (R-97, Jacksonville) and State Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (D-43, Joliet)  received Big Brothers Big Sisters Illinois State Association leadership awards in Springfield today.  Eighteen Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies cover 92 counties throughout the State of Illinois.

Barbara Cempura, president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Illinois State Association explained, “because of their strong support and long-term commitment to the Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in their respective legislative districts, Watson was honored as Big Brother Emeritus and Wilhelmi was named Honorary Big Brother.”

“It is truly an honor to be recognized by such a wonderful organization as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Illinois,” said Watson. 

Wilhelmi said, “I'm humbled and proud to receive this recognition, and I will continue to support Big Brothers Big Sisters in their important mission.”

Watson’s involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters began in 1991 when he was matched as a Big Brother with Brad, a young boy who had no male role model in his life, through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Illinois in Jacksonville. During their 10-year match, they talked a lot about what Brad wanted to be when he grew up and how school was important.

Following Watson’s example, Brad graduated from college and is now working at an insurance company. And, in a pay-it-forward effort, Brad was recently matched as a Big Brother to another child in need.

As a champion of the positive impact one-to-one mentoring can have on a child’s life,

Watson scheduled public hearings in Chicago and downstate. The hearings allowed Big Brothers Big Sisters to tell their story of positive change to legislators.

“The Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies throughout Illinois are much better positioned to positively impact our youth than any government entity,” Watson noted.  “In fact, as we continue to struggle with budget deficits, organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters represent the most promising way forward.”

Wilhelmi has shown his commitment to the at-risk kids served by Big Brothers Big Sisters since he began serving in the Illinois Senate six years ago.  He secured over $70,000 toward the purchase of a much needed building and an electronic sign that is used to attract children, recruit volunteers, thank sponsors and publicize fundraising events at the Big Brothers Big Sisters agency in Joliet. 

Additionally, Wilhelmi nominated the Joliet agency for an AT&T “Investing in Illinois” monetary award.  He regularly attends and supports the agency’s fundraising events and donated tickets to sporting events for matches to attend.

"Big Brothers Big Sisters is a wonderful organization that provides great assistance to our local kids," Wilhelmi said.  "Their mentorship programs provide essential guidance to our children, by providing them positive interaction with adults.” 

About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters operates under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life.  As Illinois' largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in local communities across, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children (“Littles”) with screened volunteer mentors (“Bigs”) and monitors and supports them in one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course. The organization holds itself accountable for children in the program to achieve measurable outcomes, such as higher aspirations; greater confidence and better relationships; educational success; and avoidance of delinquency and other risky behaviors. Most children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters are in single-parent and low-income families or households where a parent is incarcerated.  Nineteen local agencies serve over 9,000 Illinois children a year.  Learn how you can positively impact a child’s life, donate, or volunteer at www.bbbsillinois.org. 

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Congratulations to the Illinois agencies recognized at the
2011 Big Brothers Big Sisters National Conference held in Dallas.

Board of the Year: BBBS of Vermilion County

BBBS of America EVP/COO Mack Koonce and CEO Karen Mathis present the
2011 Board of the Year Award to Rose Henton of BBBS of Vermillion County.