TDOC Presents Award to Big Brothers Big Sisters

$250,000 Presented in Support of Mentoring Program for Children of Prisoners

NASHVILLE - Some of the children most at risk in Tennessee are on the path towards a brighter future thanks to $250,000 in funding provided to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Initiative.  The Tennessee Amachi Initiative provides mentors to children whose parents are in prison.  Its mission is to break the intergenerational cycle of crime and incarceration and give an often forgotten group of children the chance to reach their highest potential.  The Tennessee General Assembly and the Tennessee Department of Correction agreed that this funding was a prudent investment in the future of some of our community's most vulnerable children.

"This initiative promotes our efforts to not only correct criminal behavior but also to preserve families and help children become productive citizens," said TDOC Commissioner Derrick D. Schofield.

Lowell Perry, Chief Executive Office of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee remarked, "Many thanks to the legislature, and Governor Haslam, for recognizing the wisdom in making prevention-oriented investments in support of youth serving organizations.  We applaud the TDOC for continuing to be such a strong partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters across the state.

It is estimated that without intervention, children of incarcerated parents are 70% more likely to end up in prison themselves.  Mentoring programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters help children facing adversity beat the odds, changing their perspectives for the better.  This shift is a key solution to reducing crime in our communities long-term.

Funds from this grant will support Big Brothers Big Sisters programs statewide based upon the number of children served.  There are five participating agencies:  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chattanooga, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville, Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Memphis, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee.  In 2010, these five agencies served over 6,254 Tennessee children with a one-to-one mentor.