The Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust awarded a $20,000 grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County. The funding has allowed the agency to create and continue their School Based program in Morro Bay and will partially support their School Based program in San Luis Obispo.
“Harold J. Miossi was a firm believer that individuals shape the world in which they live,” Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director, Anna Boyd Bucy said. “Funding from his trust gives our young mentors a chance to shape their own community.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters School Based program pairs high school and college students with elementary students for weekly supervised group and individual activities taking place at the elementary school campus. During the 2012-2013 School year, 70 percent of participating elementary students reported improved feelings of social acceptance, 89 percent improved academic confidence, 67 percent improved grades in at least two school subject areas and 53 percent increased confidence they will finish college. During the same year 50 percent of high school students reported improved feelings of social acceptance, 50 percent improved academic confidence, and 60 percent made positive changes in their attitudes toward high-risk behaviors such as alcohol and drug use.