It would take the community working together. We would have to contact Charleston's branch of Big Brothers/Big Sisters for guidelines and ideas. It may be something where we would be a branch of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Pocahontas County Chapter or another name. We are rural. I'm sure this organization (funded by grants and donations) could give us some ideas on help for the children. These children need us! Who would like to get together to make a difference in a child's life?

(From http://www.bigsnyc.org/a-history.php)

It was more than century ago, on December 3, 1904, in Lower Manhattan. A boy's life hung in the balance, the weight of an 18-month reformatory sentence about to crush his future. Then Ernest Coulter, Clerk of the Court of Special Sessions of the City of New York, made his famous plea:

"There is only one possible way to save that youngster, and that is to have some earnest, true man volunteer to be his big brother. To look after him, to help him do right, to make the little chap feel that there is at least one human being in this great city who takes a personal interest in him, who cares whether he lives or dies. I call for a volunteer."

When the first gentleman stood to volunteer, Big Brothers of New York City (the founding member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America) began. Coulter's audience, a New York City men's club of business and community leaders, immediately saw the strength of this brave new idea. By the end of the day, 39 men had volunteered, and thus 39 futures were salvaged.

Go to http://www.littlemomentsbigmagic.com/

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central West Virginia and learn more.

Their address is:
1021 Quarrier Street
Medical Arts Building, Suite 506
Charleston, WV 25301
304-746-7900

Together, we can change these children's lives!

Get Involved

Do you remember a person from your childhood who you not only looked up to, but who brought a little magic into your life, just by being there? Likely, it was someone other than your parents, someone you respected, but who did not have an authoritarian, parental role.

Youth development experts agree that, in addition to their parents, children need additional supportive, caring adults in their lives. Little Brothers and Little Sisters-"Littles"-are children of school age have been given that advantage, and have a friend there just for them.

Through their friendship with a Big Brother or Big Sister, Littles often discover a whole new world of experiences, opportunity, and potential. Being a Little can transform the life of a child, and have lifelong results. In fact, research has shown that the shared experiences between Bigs and Littles have a direct and lasting impact on young people's lives.

Bigs and Littles do simple things together-playing sports, seeing movies, cooking, going over schoolwork, visiting museums, washing the car, taking walks, volunteering in their communities, or just hanging out together. It's the friendship that develops while doing these everyday activities that makes the difference.

Big Brothers Big Sisters works closely with parents and guardians to match every child with the right Big. Every volunteer is screened, trained, and supervised, and professionals in youth development support each match to help ensure that the relationship will be safe and rewarding for everyone involved.