Big Brothers Big Sisters of America President and CEO Charles Pierson Reacts to Sandusky Verdict

Why:? "Our hope is that the verdict will send a clear message to anyone who might consider associating him or herself with a youth serving organization with the intent of doing harm to a child.? Unfortunately, there is no way to eliminate risk entirely, but it must be the objective of every organization charged with helping children develop into productive adults." ? Charles Pierson, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America President and Chief Executive Officer

What: ?Strong child safety practices, such as those governing Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies, protect volunteers as well as children.? Everyone involved in the organization's mentoring matches -- children, volunteers and parents/guardians ? is expected to follow ground rules and have regular contact with mentoring support professionals, a practice that sets Big Brothers Big Sisters apart from many other mentoring programs.?? In addition to providing safeguards to protect children and volunteers, Big Brothers Big Sisters' one-to-one mentoring model is designed to yield positive outcomes for Big Brothers Big Sisters mentees.? The 2012 Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Study finds children enrolled in the program improve in educational performance, behavior and socio-emotional areas.?

Who: Big Brothers Big Sisters of America President and Chief Executive Officer Charles?Pierson joined the Philadelphia-based national home office on June 15 from Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, the largest of the mentoring network's 350 nationwide affiliates. During his tenure as CEO of the Lone Star (North Texas) agency, Pierson established a solid track record in child safety; increasing the number of youth served; developing and growing partnerships with financial supporters and other youth-serving agencies; and enhancing community engagement and collaboration, while building a highly effective agency staff.?? Pierson is a strategic leader with a breadth of experience with public, private, for-profit and non-profit organizations.

When: Pierson is available to speak with national media about the Sandusky verdict and its implications on Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation's largest network of agencies providing careful matching of volunteer mentors with youth who face adversity in long-term, staff supported and monitored one-to-one mentoring relationships.?

How: Contact Charles Pierson by calling Kelly Williams, Senior Director of External Communications and Community Engagement at 215-665-7795 or 267-97-0687 (after hours) or via email at Kelly.Williams@bbbs.org.

Kelly Williams, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America215-665-7795 or 267-978-0687 (cell) Kelly.Williams@bbbs.org

/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- June 23, 2012/

SOURCE Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

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