Rep. Stanley offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 298.

            A resolution commemorating January 2014 as Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Month in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, The Michigan Big Brothers Big Sisters Alliance provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better. These mentoring programs have been the cornerstone of the organization’s 100-year history; and

            Whereas, As the nation’s oldest donor and volunteer-supported mentor recruitment network, Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies provide an evidence-based solution to recruiting and retaining program mentors, serving thousands of children through the U.S. annually; and

            Whereas, Youth paired with caring adult mentors have shown positive trends in social and scholastic outcomes including academic improvements, progressive views regarding higher education ambitions, the avoidance of risky behaviors including drug/alcohol usage and skipping school, and improved socio-emotional responses to both peers and family. Increasing the number of available mentors continues to support optimistic outcomes for our nation’s youth; and

            Whereas, Comprised of 16 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies within the state of Michigan, the Alliance continues in its goal to create community awareness of the need for more positive mentors, as well as recognize the ongoing commitment of current volunteers. Each agency encourages community participation as they honor the dedication of local mentors and recruit additional volunteers for children waiting for the mentorship of a caring adult; and

            Whereas, National Mentoring Month is an observance established in 2002 to highlight the importance of an initiative that provides resources to communities enabling them to effectively recruit positive role models for our community’s youth; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate January 2014 as Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Month in the state of Michigan. We recognize Big Brothers Big Sisters for bringing the public’s attention to the importance of volunteers to serve as mentors and on their successful efforts with the youth of our community. This compassionate organization, through their actions, is taking steps to potentially remove the destructive path that attempts to claim so many of our children and improve the quality of life for the youth in our community.