Pensacola, Fla. – On Wednesday, December 4, 2019, Gulf Winds Credit Union presented a gift of $15,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida (BBBSNWFL) in support of the 30th Anniversary Bold Steps Campaign. This gift included support and expansion of our Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program. The check presentation took place at the new BBBSNWFL office located at 1320 Creighton Rd, Pensacola FL, 32504.
The program, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, is centered around grandparents who accept the responsibility for their grandchildren. Currently, we serve 60+ children whose primary caregivers are their grandparents or even great grandparents. Gulf Winds serves the community, so giving a gift to support this program was important to them.
This program is available to service area-wide.
“We are extremely grateful for our strong partnership with Gulf Winds and their commitment to our community and constant support of our mission.” Said Paula Shell, CEO of BBSNWFL. “Care-giving grandparents often face many challenges. Poverty, isolation and greater health issues are just a few of the many. But the research is clear: children raised by relatives experience greater stability, perform better in school and have stronger cultural and community ties compared to children raised by nonrelatives. We are truly grateful Gulf Winds is partnering with us to provide just a little
bit of guidance and support to this needed population.”
“Gulf Winds believes in Big Brothers Big Sisters and the work they have done in our community for the last 30 years. We are proud to support this important program to help grandparents raise their grandchildren.” Said Chris Rutledge, President and CEO of Gulf Winds.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida has been the area’s leader in one-to-one mentoring for 30 years by serving children ages K-18. Our mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Last year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida served 660 children in Northwest Florida. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, please visit bbbsnwfl.org or call 850.433.KIDS (5437).