The Tennessee Department of Correction is awarding Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, lead agency for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Tennessee Amachi Initiative, $250,000 to serve children in Tennessee through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Tennessee Amachi Initiative.
The Tennessee Amachi Initiative provides mentors to children whose parents are in prison. Its mission is to break the intergenerational cycle of crime and incarceration and give a forgotten group of children the chance to reach their highest potential.
Carlyle Carroll, Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee remarked, "On behalf of children and youth in Tennessee, I extend heartfelt thanks to Commissioner Schofield and the Tennessee Department of Correction for embracing proven prevention programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters one-to-one mentoring as a key component of a serious comprehensive long-term strategy to strengthen and enhance our communities."
“This initiative promotes our efforts to not only correct criminal behavior but also to preserve families and help children become productive citizens,” said Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Derrick Schofield.
Commissioner Schofield will present the $250,000 check to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, the lead agency for the Tennessee Amachi Initiative at 2:30 PM on Friday.
Funds will be distributed to participating Big Brothers Big Sisters programs statewide based upon the number of children served.