For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Nepherterra Best – 414-704-9932; neph@pridecommunications.net
(Charlotte, NC) – August 22, 2022 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas (BBBSCC) has selected television news reporter Joe Bruno as its 2022 Rising Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Young Philanthropist Award winner. Bruno’s commitment to community and his passion for the work that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas does make him the perfect choice for this year’s honor.
For the past six years – the minimum commitment is only one year – Bruno has served as a dedicated mentor and special friend to his ‘Little’ Ahjahya. Bruno has helped him grow from a shy, quiet 10-year-old into a confident young man with plans for a very bright future when he graduates from high school in 2024.
“Joe embraces the importance of giving back and finding impactful ways to make a difference in the community that extends beyond his work as an award-winning reporter,” said Donna Dunlap, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “It is transformational for the youth we serve, and their outcomes are a testament to that.”
For nearly seven years, Bruno has been a government and breaking news reporter for WSOC-TV and he has been a broadcast journalist since 2014.
In the past year, 954 children and teens in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and York counties were served through BBBSCC community-based and school-based mentoring programs. The children and teens the organization serves are typically from low-income households — with 71% coming from households earning less than $35,000 a year and another with the majority of those (55%) earning under $25,000 annually. BBBSCC has recently received a gift of $2.3 million from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to transform mentorship in local communities and support this necessary work in the greater Charlotte metropolitan area.
“This is why committed mentors like Bruno are so important,” Dunlap added. “Becoming a Big is more important now than ever before. Our children are struggling and need positive adults in their lives. The need is truly tremendous, but our one-to-one mentoring program works.”
BBBSCC’s one-to-one mentoring programs lead to positive outcomes for the mentees (known as “Littles” in four key areas:
- Encouraging Educational Achievement (100% of Littles graduated high school and 93% improved or maintained their academic performance)
- Supporting Emotional Well-Being (90% of Littles reported ongoing or improved emotional regulation abilities)
- Building Life Skills (88% of Littles reported better or sustained social competence and positive peer relationships; 7% Littles reported better or maintained positive family [parent] connections)
- Avoiding Risky Behaviors (95 % of Littles avoided substance use; 90% of Littles had fewer or no increase in school discipline issues and bullying behaviors; and 99% avoided involvement in the juvenile justice system)
Bruno will be honored for his service to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas during the awards ceremony scheduled for September 24 at the JW Marriott in Uptown Charlotte. More details to come.
About BBBSCC
Since 1972, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas has been providing mentors (Bigs) for children (Littles) in this region. This year the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary, while serving nearly 1,000 children in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and York counties throughout traditional community-and school-based mentoring and innovative specialty programs that connect caring adults with local children in meaningful one-to-one relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas and get involved as a mentor, volunteer, donor, or community partner, visit www.bbbscentralcarolinas.org.