PRINTER'S NO. 205
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
46
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY BROWNLEE, KINSEY, BAKER, READSHAW, R. BROWN,
SONNEY, MILLARD, DUSH, DiGIROLAMO, KIM, WHEELAND, J. HARRIS,
PICKETT, PASHINSKI, D. COSTA, MACKENZIE, LONGIETTI, STURLA,
HENNESSEY, BURNS, SCHWEYER, MAJOR, McNEILL, DRISCOLL, THOMAS,
C. PARKER, VEREB, COHEN, BISHOP, GABLER, KIRKLAND, KOTIK,
MARSICO, FLYNN, V. BROWN, BENNINGHOFF, CONKLIN, DONATUCCI,
FREEMAN, McCARTER, FRANKEL, WATSON AND GRELL,
JANUARY 26, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JANUARY 26, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of January 2015 as "Big Brothers Big
Sisters Month and National Mentoring Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Big Brothers Big Sisters is a nonprofit organization
which establishes mentoring relationships to bring caring adults
into the lives of underserved and vulnerable children and
youths; and
WHEREAS, Children and youths who live in an area with a high
poverty rate or high incidence of juvenile arrests, come from a
single-parent household, are impacted by homelessness or
familial incarceration or attend a struggling school are often
at risk for academic or social failure; and
WHEREAS, Experienced persons serving as advisors, motivators
and friends can diminish risk factors, enhance protective
factors and make a lasting impact on the lives of younger
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persons; and
WHEREAS, Working through a network of donors, partners,
family members, volunteers and advocates, Big Brothers Big
Sisters supports and enriches the life of each participant while
promoting and reinforcing positive activities, behaviors and
attitudes in our communities; and
WHEREAS, Children and youths who participate in Big Brothers
Big Sisters perform better in school and develop better
relationships with their families and peers; and
WHEREAS, Children and youths facing adverse or challenging
circumstances particularly benefit from strong, enduring,
professionally supported one-on-one mentoring relationships; and
WHEREAS, In celebrating their 100th anniversary, Big Brothers
Big Sisters of Southeastern Pennsylvania makes meaningful,
monitored matches between adult volunteers (Bigs) and young
people (Littles) throughout Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and
Philadelphia Counties; and
WHEREAS, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern
Pennsylvania, partnering with parents or guardians and community
volunteers, makes and supports nearly 3,000 mentoring matches
each year; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 120,000 underserved children in
Southeastern Pennsylvania remain at risk for social or academic
failure; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of chief executive officer
Marcus Allen, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern
Pennsylvania is committed to providing academic, employment,
housing and family support services as needed to address the
personal challenges and higher aspirations of children and
youths throughout the region; therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of January 2015 as "Big Brothers Big Sisters Month and
National Mentoring Month" in Pennsylvania.
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