Taos, NM Allowing Town Employees Time Off to Participate in Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program

Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 7/19/05
Source File: http://www.taosgov.com/legalordinances/resolutions/2005/res05-34.htm
Text:
RESOLUTION NO. 05-34
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL ESTABLISHING AND APPROVING BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTER PROGRAM AND ALLOWING TOT EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE WITH THE KIDS OF BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS PROGRAM
WHEREAS, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico has been matching children ages 6 through 18 with caring, committed, carefully screened mentors for more than twenty five years. The program is affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, which is celebrating one hundred years of matching kids;
WHEREAS, The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with measurable impact;
WHEREAS, The Big Brothers Big Sisters Vision is successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to brighter futures, better schools, and stronger communities for all; 
WHEREAS, The goal of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) mentoring is to help children become more confident, competent and caring. Research has demonstrated that BBBS mentoring reduces drug and alcohol use, decreases violence, and enhances school attendance, performance, and relationships with parents and peers (Public/Private Venture Studies 1995);
WHEREAS, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico (BBBS NNM) has two programs. In community-based mentoring, volunteer mentors ("Bigs") meet with children ("Littles") in the community for several hours two to four times a month. In school-based mentoring (including Lunch Buddies and High School Bigs), Bigs meet with Littles on school grounds for an hour a week during the school year to mentor and tutor. BBBS NNM has also received a federal grant to mentor children of prisoners, and to provide them (and their families) additional referral and support services to help break the cycle of incarceration;
WHEREAS, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico urges the Town of Taos to express support for its programs by encouraging its employees to be volunteers. Being a Big Brother or Sister offers the chance to profoundly impact both deserving children and oneself. Group volunteerism fosters a noticeable sense of camaraderie and collective purpose;
WHEREAS, The Town of Taos and BBBS maintain a similar goal of serving area citizenry; support from the Town would only strengthen BBBS efforts to cultivate a strong youth culture in Taos. Additionally, it will be important for a Town-appointed individual to participate on the BBBS Taos Resource Council. The Resource Council will work to collect ideas and resources to fortify BBBS programs and volunteer base. The Resource Council will not be a policy-making board, but rather a diverse body of individuals driven to share notions of how to best serve Taos children; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Taos through its priority of reducing youth violence and crime support employees volunteering for the BBBS program for the Health and Safety and Welfare of the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN OF TAOS that the Mayor and Town Council support the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico by:
1. Encouraging employees to become volunteer mentors, and
2. Supporting the BBBS by allowing those employees who volunteer for this program 1 hour before the conclusion of work to participate.
Category:City Governments
Category:New Mexico
Category:Resolutions
Category:Taos
Category:Youth