Mental Health and Substance Use Services for Adult Members
On Wednesday, May 31st, the Community Outreach Team of Driscoll Health Plan (DHP) organized a two-session "Lunch & Learn" event aimed at educating DHP staff about Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas. Kimberly Perez, the Branch Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, shared insightful statistics about the positive impact of having a mentor in a child's life. Perez also highlighted the unfortunate reality that there is currently a waiting list for mentors due to a shortage of applicants.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is an organization that focuses on creating meaningful and supervised matches between adult volunteer mentors, known as "Bigs," and children, called "Littles," who are between the ages of 6 and 18. Many of these children come from challenging backgrounds, and their "Bigs" often become one of the few positive influences in their lives during childhood and adolescence.
During the event, DHP presented a sponsorship check of $3,250 to support Big Brothers Big Sisters' mentoring programs. This sponsorship will enable the organization to provide outing opportunities for mentors and their mentees, such as bowling, movies, or shared meals. These activities create positive environments for the youth to interact with their mentors, fostering the formation of supportive bonds between the "Bigs" and "Littles." Ultimately, this support and connection empower the child's success and well-being.
Victoria Morales, the MSO Director at DHP, expressed the alignment between the missions of both organizations, stating, "Our missions are very similar in that we are here to serve the kids, and we want to come together to make a big impact for the community."
The "Lunch & Learn" event hosted by Driscoll Health Plan's Community Outreach Team served as a platform to educate DHP staff about Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas. By spreading awareness about the organization and its mission, DHP aims to encourage more individuals to step forward and become mentors, thus reducing the waiting list, and positively impacting the lives of children in need. Through their generous sponsorship, DHP demonstrates their commitment to supporting the growth and development of the youth in the community, aligning with the goals of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas.
