Big Brothers Big Sisters of NEPA recently received a $10,219 foundation grant from the Williamsport Lycoming Community Fund Capacity Building Grant Program at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania.

The grant will be used to update the agency’s software and computers in order to streamline and expedite its one-to-one youth/mentor matching process.

Since its inception in 1974, BBBS of NEPA has served the counties of Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Union, Snyder and Wyoming. Roughly 100 youths in the 11 counties are being served by the program.

Youth ages 7-14 are matched with a teen, ages 16 and up, or with a positive adult role model, to inspire and ignite the potential of youth.

“The need we have is technology based,” said. “Many of our interviews are conducted over ZOOM and other virtual platforms,” Michelle Hamilton, Executive Director of BBBS NEPA, said.

Funding for Big Brothers Big Sisters programs is provided through the United Way, state and federal grants, private donations, and fundraising efforts.

For more information, call (570) 824-8756 or visit:www.bbbsnepa.com.