About Us

Big Brothers & Sisters of Portage County has been serving the children in our community since 1977, when the program was started as part of Kent Social Services. In 1980, we incorporated and became our own agency. since the beginning it has been our mission to develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people.

Our Mentoring Programs Work

National research has shown that positive relationships between youth and their Big Brother and Big Sister mentors have a direct and measurable impact on children's lives. By participating in our youth mentoring programs, Little Brothers and Sisters are:

More confident in their schoolwork performance
Able to get along better with their families
46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
27% less likely to begin using alcohol
52% less likely to skip school

On-Line Auction
Be sure to check out our On-Line Auction that now includes 2 roundtrip coach class airfares to any AirTran domestic destination>>>

A Taste of Chocolate
Portage County, Ohio, August 14, 2008 -- Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 11 when Big Brothers & Sisters of Portage County hosts its 3rd annual chocolate festival. The fundraising event will be held at the
United Methodist Church of Kent, across the street from Kent State University, between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm, after the KSU homecoming parade. Tickets will be sold for $5 and will be good for a sample from eight different vendors.

Sponsors, vendors, and auction items are needed. All proceeds will benefit the one-to-one youth mentoring program at Big Brothers & Sisters.

Sponsorship levels range from $2500 to $100 with varying promotional benefits in event advertising, signage, and print materials. Sponsors to date are kentnewsnet.com, Midway Auto Sales & Wrecking, Portage Path Title Agency, LLC, and Seven Seventeen Credit Union.

There is no cost for vendors, but each is expected to bring 500 samples of a chocolate-related item having a retail value of $1, as well as an auction item with a value of $20 or more. Vendors may also bring merchandise to sell. The event offers a great way to reach hundreds of people. Sponsors to date are Baker’s Square, Creative Memories, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Dunkin Donuts, Lori’s Little Wonders, Pampered Chef representative, Amie Martz, and Triangle Pharmacy.

For details on how you can become associated with Portage County’s only chocolate festival, contact Linda Carlisle at Big Brothers & Sisters at 330.296.6655 or linda.carlisle@bbsportage.org.

Click here for more information on all of our events>>>

Back-to-School Bargains
Portage County, Ohio, August 14, 2008 – Help Big Brothers & Sisters of Portage County by shopping!
Back-to-school bargain hunters will find a wide variety of apparel at Fabulous Finds Thrift Superstore. Fall fashions featuring name brands such as Gap, Mudd, Levi, Elizabeth, and Liz are available every day. In addition to clothing, there are items for the college student that include quality used furniture, sporting goods, exercise equipment, bedding, silverware, house wares, books, movies, footwear, board games, and more. And everyday, customers will find that some merchandise is 50% off.
Fabulous Finds is located at 9058 State Route 14 in Streetsboro and is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm, and Sundays 11 am to 6 pm. A portion of all sales supports the one-to-one youth mentoring program at Big Brothers & Sisters.

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