CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.- (CLARKSVILLENOW) Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville is ringing in the New Year with new leadership and a renewed devotion to the community and the children the agency serves.
Chris Harris Buerck has been named Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville, a local nonprofit with a mission to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.
“The mentorships Big Brothers Big Sisters provides make our community stronger. They highlight the potential of and expand the possibilities for the children here to live healthy, well rounded lives. Bringing Ms. Buerck in to run the agency will fortify these relationships so the youth in Clarksville, Montgomery County and Fort Campbell will be even more successful,” said Kim Miller, president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville Board of Directors.
Buerck, a University of Memphis graduate who moved to Clarksville by way of Missouri in 2012, has worked in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee office since 2015, commuting to Nashville on a daily basis. She said the opportunity to affect change more locally enticed her to accept the position with the Clarksville office.
“We have hit the ground running with internal training and I’m looking forward to working with the board as well as community organizations to grow the agency and re-establishing Big Brothers Big Sisters as the premier youth mentoring agency in this area and a vital resource in the community,” Buerck said.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville has been serving the Montgomery County/Fort Campbell area since 1975. The agency has 30 active matches and can enroll new volunteers to serve the many children on the waiting list for a mentor.
“In past years, BBBS Clarksville has supported 200-250 matches in the program. We are committed to serving the community at that level again and confident Ms. Buerck’s leadership will help us get there,” Miller said.
Volunteer “Bigs” are 18 years or older and commit to spending 4-8 hours a month with their “Little” for a one-year timespan. They meet for an hour a week or 2-3 hours every other week doing low-cost or free activities like taking a hike, going to the park or just having a conversation over a game of Connect Four. Through these simple outings, the children in Big Brothers Big Sisters programs have more confidence, earn better grades and enjoy stronger relationships with adults in their lives.
The agency also appreciates and can utilize volunteers who want to make a difference in other ways. Volunteers are needed to serve on the board of directors, lend expertise with technical issues or for participating in fundraising events like the annual Bowl For Kids’s Sake.
For information on volunteering or enrolling a child into the program, email info@bbbsclarksville.org or call 931-647-1418.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville: Since 1975, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville has provided children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships. Nationally, the program has existed since 1904. Big Brothers Big Sisters ensures that the children in its program achieve measurable outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships. Learn more at www.bbbsclarksville.org