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Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters celebrates 'Unlikely Brothers'
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August 04, 2011 - 3:54 PDT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
LOS ANGELES, CA (August 4, 2011) - Big Brothers Big Sisters honored John Prendergast, co-author of Unlikely Brothers, at a friends and donors meet and greet hosted by Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. The local affiliates also congratulated Michael Trueblood, 2011 National Big Brother of the Year, and his Little Brother, Joseph.
Unlikely Brothers is a gritty account of Prendergast's early years as a human rights worker in Africa, contrasted with the early life of his mentee, Michael Mattocks. Mattocks vividly chronicles his early childhood memories of meeting Prendergast and the years that followed, where he fell into a life of drug dealing, crime and other temptations associated with growing up in urban poverty. The book is a story of redemption and how mentoring can provide enduring positive benefits. While Prendergast and Mattocks met outside of a formal mentoring program, Prendergast went on to enroll as a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor to two other boys.
Unlikely brothers themselves, Trueblood, 81, and now 13-year-old Joseph, met through Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters four years ago. Joseph's elderly great-grandmother, who is raising him and his seven siblings, felt the program might help the then nine-year-old become more disciplined at school and at home. Trueblood takes Joseph to cultural and sports events, introduced him to tennis, spends time reading with him and even helped Joseph open a college savings account and advised him to deposit portions of his allowance. According to Joseph, hanging out with his Big Brother makes him feel important and his behavior and grades have improved. He says Trueblood makes him want to be a better person.
Studies find when matched with volunteer Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors, children who face adversity are more likely to succeed in school; avoid risky and delinquent behaviors; and have higher aspirations and stronger family relationships. The mentoring organization relies on donor funding to carefully match mentors and mentees and provide ongoing professional support to volunteers, mentees and their families to help sustain the long-term, successful relationships unique to its programs.
Contact
Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters
http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.6065577/apps/s/content.asp?ct=11053163
CA, 90015 US
Cynthia Swaeby - Program Specialist, 213-251-9800
Keywords
John Prendergast, Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters, Unlikely Brothers, Michael Mattocks
Category
Catholic Organizations
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