Big Brothers Big Sisters has helped youth in need for more than a 100 years.
Now, the mid-Florida chapter, located in Gainesville, is hoping the community will return the favor.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a youth mentoring program dedicated to helping children in need.
The local organization lost more than 60 percent of its financing last year, and it may have to relocate to save its organization.
The organization is considering selling its building, located at 1155 NW 13th St.
According to Paul Halpern, the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida, the organization is looking for an inexpensive office space.
The move will save them money and allow them to devote their resources to helping the children in need.
Halpern said that the organization’s plan is to simplify the agency and cut costs as much as it can while still providing all of the services of the organization.
Between mortgage payments, insurance, taxes and upkeep, the organization is having trouble making ends meet.
Two realtors appraised the property at about $350,000, Halpern said.
“We don’t want to focus on the money,” Halpern said. “We want to focus on the children we serve and the good stories we have.”
Halpern hopes that with the assistance of the community, the organization will be able to continue operating in the Gainesville area.
Latifat Oginni, a Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida volunteer, said that the current financial situation has had a great impact on the organization. It used to serve the surrounding counties, but now it can only serve Alachua County.
Also, students who want to get involved with the program in Alachua County are on waiting lists.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida needs more employees just to be able to handle the case load, she said
“This financial burden isn’t allowing us to function to our fullest potential,” she said.
While Oginni feels that the organization is suffering at the moment, she is not discouraged.
“The last thing that’s going to happen is the doors closing,” she said.
For more information on volunteering opportunities and information on the organization, bbbsmidflorida.org.
