Big Brothers Big Sisters Unveils New Mentor Recruiting Effort

Big Brothers Big Sisters has 64 boys on a waiting list, but not enough Big Brother volunteers to match with them. This unique recruitment event, taking place on Saturdays in December, is designed to help them attract more male volunteers.

"We are very excited to have the support of these local barbershops," said Len Denham, a current Big Brother who coordinated this outreach as a volunteer. 

"There are so many boys in the Joliet, Shorewood and Bolingbrook area that have asked for a mentor and we would like to move them off the waiting list and match them with a male role model." 

"I applaud the owners of Hyroglyphics, First Impression, and KCA Barbershop "The Gentlemen’s Shop" for volunteering to help us find these mentors,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters Case Manager Lanishia Briscoe. 

The event is an opportunity for local men to stop by the barbershops to learn more about volunteering:

• Hyroglyphics (326 N. Schmidt Road, Bolingbrook) from 2-5pm on December 8
• KCA Barbers "The Gentleman's Shop" (850 Brookforest Avenue, Shorewood) from 9am - 12 noon on December 21
• First Impressions (33 E. Cass Street, Joliet) from 1-3PM on December 21

Big Brother Len Denham and his Little Brother Jarvis will be on hand, along with Big Brothers Big Sisters Case Manager Lanishia Briscoe, to answer questions about becoming a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Additionally, men who stop by the event to learn more about volunteering will be entered to win a grand prize drawing.

“The time you share as a Big Brother is minimal, and yet it is really rewarding and can make a significant impact on the life of a young man," Denham stresses. "This event is a way to make it convenient and easy for men to stop by a local barbershop for just a few minutes to learn more about a great volunteer opportunity.”