Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County awarded $434,000 in scholarships to 71 high school graduates who are participants in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County mentoring program at its second annual BIG Futures Scholars Celebration.

BIG Futures is a college and career readiness initiative designed to equip youth for post-secondary success through career mentoring, education and access to key opportunities.

Seniors who participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County’s school-based, school-to-work and community-based programs also received special honor cords to celebrate their efforts at the BIG Futures Scholars Celebration. Approximately 300 guests, comprised of scholars and their families and friends, along with donors and board members were in attendance at the event hosted at the Southwest Focal Point Center in Pembroke Pines.

“Big Futures initiates successful trajectories for our young people by providing them with the opportunity to achieve their dreams through higher education,” said Malena Mendez, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County. “We are exceptionally proud of our participants as they begin this new journey to college or trade school. Additionally, we are deeply grateful to the generous funding organizations and individual donors who have provided the crucial support to ignite the potential and promise of youth through our Big Futures program.”

Scholarships contributors included:

  • Florida Prepaid Path to Prosperity Program Powered by Florida Power & Light, $217,620 for thirty-one 2-year scholarships
  • Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarships, $71,280 for three 4-year scholarships
  • Ana G. Mendez University President’s Circle Scholarship, $47,400 for one 4-year scholarship
  • Women on the Verge Big Futures Scholarships, $41,000 for twenty-one scholarships
  • Dan Baker Skilled Trades Scholarship, $5,000 for one scholarship
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Youth Equity & Empowerment funded by the Deloitte Foundation, $38,554 for eight scholarships
  • Charles Greenlee Scholarship, $6,000 for four scholarships
  • Traci Miller and Try McHatton Swing for Kids’ Sake Scholarship, $5,000 for one scholarship
  • Victor Sola Excellence Scholarship from Consolidated credit, $2,300 for two scholarships

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County has made a lasting impact on the lives of youth in the Broward County community for more than 50 years.  Mentoring relationships created by the organization build self-confidence and emotional well-being, empower young people on a path to graduation and higher education, and help them establish a plan for a successful future. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.  For more information, visit www.bbbsbroward.org.