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Big Brothers Big Sisters seeks $1 million to sustain statewide mentoring and college‑readiness work
Summary
House File 12‑23 would renew $1 million in support for Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mentoring and college‑readiness services across Minnesota; committee testimony highlighted program impacts, a 1,000+ youth wait list and long‑term economic benefits from mentoring.
The House committee heard testimony on House File 12‑23, a proposal to continue a $1 million appropriation supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across Minnesota to recruit mentors and expand college and future‑readiness programming.
Pat Sukum, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities, said the three statewide agencies served about 4,500 youth last year and maintain a wait list of more than 1,000 children awaiting matches. She cited national and longitudinal research — including a study referenced by Harvard and the U.S. Department of the Treasury — documenting improved education and lifetime earnings for mentored youth and described the program as cost‑effective.
Princess Awadah Kassab, vice president of programs and a mentee who later joined the agency staff, described personal experience of mentorship and said the program makes students “20% more likely to enroll in college.” Committee members who had served as mentors spoke in favor of the bill.
The committee laid House File 12‑23 over for further consideration in an omnibus bill.
