The Jim Moran Foundation has committed to helping resolve the long wait times for children and teens to be paired with mentors by supporting End The Wait, a Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County program. The Foundation will invest $250,000 in the program through a two-year grant with a goal of bringing in a minimum of 200 volunteers to mentor young people in adverse circumstances.
“We’re very grateful to The Jim Moran Foundation for recognizing the value of one-to-one mentoring – helping children and teens stay on the right track and recognize and realize their potential to ultimately build successful futures,” said Ana Cedeño, CEO of Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Broward County. “We’re proud to help these young people and thrilled to report that 67 matches already have been made as a result of the Foundation’s investment.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters has approximately 450 adolescents ready to be matched in its one-to-one mentoring program. Within that group, 100 high-risk youth and teenagers – including those living in multi-sibling households or in transitional independent living, youth with no support network and those who have incarceration within the family – will be prioritized for mentors as part of End the Wait.
“Because of the Foundation’s support, we will profoundly touch the lives of 200 children,” said Cedeño. “They will discover a world of life-changing good as a result of our effective mentoring program.”
“We believe it is so important for a young person to have a trusting, caring adult in their life to help celebrate successes and work through hardships – and we are grateful to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County for its ongoing commitment to connecting inspiring role models to our next generation of leaders,” said Jan Moran, chairman and president of The Jim Moran Foundation.
About The Jim Moran Foundation
Founded by automotive pioneer Jim Moran, the mission of The Jim Moran Foundation is to improve the quality of life for the youth and families of Florida through the support of innovative programs and opportunities that meet the ever-changing needs of the community. The Foundation has invested more than $75 million in education, elder care, family strengthening, and youth transitional living initiatives since its inception in 2000 with efforts currently focused in Broward, Palm Beach and Duval counties. Through a long-term Grant Agreement, The Foundation’s significant funders are JM Family Enterprises, Inc., and its subsidiaries, including Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC. To learn more, visit www.jimmoranfoundation.org or call (954) 429-2122.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. The organization partners with parents, guardians, volunteers and others in the community and holds itself accountable for each child in its program achieving: higher aspirations, greater confidence, better relationships, educational success and avoidance of risky behaviors. For more information, visit www.bbbsbroward.org, call 954-584-9990 or e-mail anac@bbbsbroward.org.