Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County received two five-year federal 21st Century Community Learning Center grants this week from the Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Future Forward Ohio, according to a news release.
The new grants will allow Big Brothers Big Sisters to expand its BIG Futures career and college readiness programs at Elyria High School, Lorain County Joint Vocational School and Clearview High School, the release said.
This school year, these two grants will infuse $400,000 of additional career and college readiness programming into these three high schools, according to the release.
Pending annual renewals and the availability of federal funds, these two five-grants will make available $4.5 million to career and college readiness instruction, programming and career mentoring in these three high schools through 2028, the release said.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County BIG Futures program already is available at Elyria High School, Columbia High School, Lorain County JVS, Lorain High School, Wellington High School and Big Brothers Big Sisters headquarters thanks to funding support to Big Brothers Big Sisters through the Ohio Department of Education’s Summer Learning and Afterschool Opportunities grant, and some support from the cities of Elyria and Lorain, the release said.
These new grants will help secure the BIG Futures program’s longevity over the next five years and enable Big Brothers Big Sisters to add students and additional support services to existing programs, according to the release.
“We are thrilled to work with our schools and other community partners to assist Lorain County high school students in their quest to graduate from high school and plan for a successful future after high school,” said Holly Brinda, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County in the release.
Brinda explained the program is open to students in grades 9-12 in participating schools and provides free of charge the following:
• Career and college readiness curriculum and activities
• Career deep dives, employer tours, career speakers
• Social and emotional learning
• Tutoring and academic enrichment to meet state standards by Ohio certified teachers
• Academic and career assessments and Individualized Career Plans
• Career and personal mentoring by vetted adult volunteer mentors
• Fun and positive youth development activities
• A Parent University for educational development
• Parent engagement activities to promote participation with youth development
“The BIG Futures program helps youth envision, plan for, and realize success after high school,” Brinda said. “It is perfect for teens who need support exploring career options, including the trades and vocational school, college, entering the workforce or enlisting in the military or safety services.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County helps youth discover their strengths and passions and choose a path that’s right for them, she said.
Parents or guardians who would like to learn more or enroll their child in the BIG Futures program are encouraged to call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County BIG Futures Family/Community Outreach Coordinator Lydia Ward at 440-277-6541.
Companies and organizations that would like to participate in the volunteer programming to provide employer tours, speakers, career experiences, or mentoring are encouraged to call Ward.
The Ohio Department of Education awarded $53,928,013 of funding to grant recipients for Fiscal Year 2024, according to the release.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County was one of 142 new award recipients selected from more than 220 applications through a rigorous review process, the release said.
In June 2023, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County was recognized as a National Quality Award Winner by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, according to the release.
Only 32 Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations in the United States out of 225 received this top honor, the release said.
