Dominion Energy Supports Big Brothers Big Sisters’ STEM School Monitoring

In photo: (left) Crystal Higgins, Match Support Specialist, (center) Ursula Raczak, CEO, & (right) Erin Simmons, Director of Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County, receive a check from (center) Robert Sauer,
Station Director, Dominion Energy, Fairless Hills.

Jamison, PA (January 9, 2017) – Dominion Energy awarded a grant of $5,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County (BBBSBC), in support of their STEM School Mentoring Program. This program is in place in several schools in Bucks County- in the Bensalem, Bristol Township, Centennial, and Pennsbury school districts.  Students in grades K-7th  who may need extra support academically, emotionally or socially, are matched with volunteer adult mentors, called “Bigs.” The Bigs are often recruited through corporate partnerships, but may also be local residents who live or work near the schools. The Bigs meet with the students, referred to as their “Littles,” weekly at the schools, during the students’ lunch & recess, or study periods. The mentors provide supplemental academic support, in addition to guidance and friendship. The Bigs act as role models, help the students develop their STEM skills, (in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics,) and give them guidance in making responsible choices. They also offer their Littles a judgment-free zone in which they can share their feelings, as well as their goals for their future. Studies show that Littles who are mentored improve significantly in both avoiding risky behaviors, and in developing their academic and social competence.

“This is a great opportunity for Dominion to support both the local community, and a worthwhile organization such as Big Brothers Big Sisters.   The STEM mentoring program not only supports children in need academically, but it also focuses on developing critical math and science skills,” said Bob Sauer, Station Director, Dominion Fairless Energy Power Station, and a Big Brother in this program.

“We rely on local companies like Dominion to support our program financially,” said Ursula Raczak, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County, “as well as to provide us with outstanding school-based mentors, like Bob Sauer. We are grateful to have them as a partner.”

Dominion Energy Solutions supplies natural gas to more than 500,000 homes and businesses throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the United States. Dominion Resources (NYSE: D) is the parent company of Dominion Energy Solutions and Dominion Products and Services, Inc. A Fortune 250 company, Dominion is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 24,400 megawatts of generation, 12,200 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline and 6,490 miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion operates one of the nation’s largest natural gas storage systems with 928 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves utility and retail energy customers in 14 states. Dominion practices environmental stewardship and contributes more than $20 million annually to the environment, education, arts and culture, and health and human services in the states where they operate. Dominion was No.1 among electric and gas utilities on Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2014.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County, located in Jamison, Pa., is a donor supported, volunteer driven organization affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.  As the premiere mentoring organization in Bucks County, BBBSBC has over 50 years of service to our local youth.  Programs provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. The agency has been honored with the National Award for Program Excellence for 8 years.

Visit: www.bbbsbc.org. Call: 215-343-8260.

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