Name change expected to make little difference for Big Brothers Big Sisters

MANSFIELD - After 22 years of serving the community as Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Jim Nicholson, executive director of the agency, said starting Jan. 1,the United Way agency will be known as Little Brothers Little Sisters of North Central Ohio Inc.

Nicholson said the agency,380 N. Mulberry St., Mansfield, will continue its mentoring programs as an independent organization and continue to serve its local communities in Richland, Crawford and Ashland counties.

"It's the same program. Just the name has been changed," he said.

"We are excited to announce a change that will bring greater opportunities to the youth we serve through our mentoring programs. Our change didn't come lightly; after much discussion and careful consideration, the board of directors and executive director has decided to disaffiliate from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America," Nichsolson said. "This means we have discontinued our relationship with Big Brothers Big Sisters, but are excited to continue our same mentoring programs as Little Brothers Little Sisters."

Why the name change to Little Brothers Little Sisters?

"Our 22-year relationship with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has been positive and their program is exceptional," he said. "It is, however, modeled after an urban or suburban population model — one that does not accurately represent the unique challenges we face in our North central Ohio counties (Richland, Crawford, and Ashland). 

"While having the Big Brothers Big Sisters name associated with our program provided brand awareness, it was placing a financial strain on our services."

BBBSA has changed its business model, and those changes will institute minimum requirements to be an affiliated agency, including a minimum number of full-time employees per agency, and a much larger budget.

"The new model proposed by BBBSA would not be viable here, but we felt we could not close our doors because our outcome studies have shown that the mentoring we offer improves the lives of the kids we serve, and ultimately makes our community stronger," Nicholson said. "We believe all individuals matter, not just those living in large urban areas."

Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Central Ohio did not receive funding from BBBS of America, Nicholson said — it was required to pay BBBSA to be an affiliate.

"Basically, we were paying to use their name, images, and mandatory database. The cost for this was projected to increase," he said. "By disaffiliating from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Little Brothers Little Sisters will be saving roughly $8,000 per year from affiliate dues and database maintenance fees."

Nicholson said neither the agency's programming nor staff will change.

For details, call Nicholson, 419-525-4618.

lwhitmir@nncogannett.com 

419-521-7223

Twitter: @LWhitmir