The Forsyth County branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters, a mentoring program serving Dawson, Hall, Forsyth and North Fulton counties, became an independent organization June 24.

For the past 6 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has provided hundreds of North Georgia children with volunteer mentors dedicated to improving the growth and development of young people.

Now, under the name Mentor Me North Georgia Inc, the organization will continue its mission.

“The same kids, same volunteers, same staff and the same board are in place for Mentor Me,” said Mentor Me Media Relations Director Barbara Dawson.

“We are very excited to now be an independent organization. Mentor Me will continue helping children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one positive relationships with adult volunteers,” she added.

“The objective of the organization and its staff is to meet the needs of the children, the mentors and the community,” said Dawson.

“To better accomplish their goals and objectives, the team at Big Brothers Big Sisters Forsyth County and its board members decided to become an independent mentoring organization. We can now better serve the needs of our communities in Forsyth, North Fulton, Dawson and Hall Counties,” she said.

Mentor Me matches children ages 6 to 12 that are primarily from single-parent families or who are being raised by grandparents or other family relatives, with qualified adult volunteer mentors whose mission is to broaden the horizons of North Georgia children.

Mentor Me is currently planning the organization’s largest annual fundraising event - Bowl for Kids.

“Bowl for Kids sponsors and other participants are people just like you who want to give back to children right here at home. It’s an easy and fun way to help,” said Dawson, adding that all who are interested in helping North Georgia youths are welcome at the event.

“Money raised directly supports the at-risk children in our community served through mentoring relationships,” she said.

Bowl for Kids will be held Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center in Cumming.

For more information on Mentor Me’s Bowl for Kids fundraiser or to learn how you can become a volunteer mentor or support Mentor Me’s mission, call Dawson at (770) 715-4533.

E-mail Adam C. Stapleton at adam@dawsonnews.com.