Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westmoreland County has become a bit bigger. The chapter opened a branch office in Uniontown about two weeks ago and renamed itself Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region to reflect the two-county area it now serves. ‘I think this has been needed for a long time,’ said Cheryl Danko, the program manager at the Uniontown office, located at 199 Edison Blvd. She has been busy getting her office in order, as well as trying to recruit volunteers and spreading the word to schools and other agencies that the program is available in Fayette County.

More information Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region is looking for adults to volunteer. The group is also looking for children in need of a mentor. For more information, call 724-837-6198 or 724-439-8055.

Big Brothers Big Sisters matches adults with 7- to 14-year-old kids who are from single-parent homes and have no significant contact with the absent mother or father. The goal is to provide direction and guidance through positive role models to kids, according to John DeCarlo, the project manager for Family Services System Reform, one of the agencies under the Fayette County Collaborative Board for Families. ‘It’s a positive experience,’ he said. According to statistics provided by the chapter, kids in the program are 46 percent less likely than their peers to start using drugs and 27 percent less likely to start drinking. They’re also less likely to lie and skip school, according to the chapter. The chapter decided to open a Fayette County branch office at the request of the Fayette County Collaborative Board For Families. DeCarlo said there is a need for the chapter’s services in the county. The new office is being paid for in part through a $100,000 grant from the Benedum Foundation. The chapter will hold a grand opening ceremony July 26 for the branch office. Local officials, teachers and representative from various service agencies have been invited to attend.

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