Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater St. Joseph made its first match in December 2008. Almost a year later, the organization has successfully paired 47 children with mentors.

“We realized our children (in St. Joseph) were lacking mentorship,” said Dave Gall, president of the St. Joseph chapter.

There are currently 20 children on the waiting list for a Big Brother or Big Sister, he said.

The local mentoring group celebrated its recent renovations with an open house and ribbon-cutting Monday at the Keatley Center, located at 1202 S. 28th St. “We see this as a vital asset,” said Ted Allison, president of the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber held the ribbon-cutting for the organization.

“We want to encourage (the children) to be productive,” he said. “And to stay in the community.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters works by matching children from one-parent households with adult mentors in a one-to-one friendship. They commit to a one-year friendship and simply spend a couple hours a week together. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has been in existence for more than 100 years and in Kansas City for more than 40.

“Twenty-five percent of kids in school are from a one-parent household,” said Michael Lawrence, executive director.

Tiffany Miller said she’s seen young boys learn to become men through the program. Not having a father in their lives, she said, can leave the youth without the ability to learn certain skills for the future.

“It gives (the children) someone to look up to,” said Ms. Miller, case manager with the organization. “They then use that perspective to make a difference in their lives.”

Big Brother Big Sisters is actively looking for volunteers to become mentors. Individuals or couples interested can contact the office at 671-4090, or visit www.bigbrothersbigsisterskc.org.

Jennifer Hall can be reached at jennhall@npgco.com.