Almost $6 million will be going to programs that fight poverty in the region, and one of them is a new initiative in Oshkosh.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin will receive $300,000 over three years, from the Basic Needs Giving Partnership.
Executive Director Lindsay Fenlon says they’re partnering with Oshkosh North High School to mentor freshman students. She says the students reach out through technology, and communicate with their mentors daily. There’s one monthly event, for about two hours.
Fenlon says the focus is on getting the students ready to succeed, after they’re done with high school.
Big Brothers Big Sisters started the mentoring program nationally, 19 years ago. The first chapter to bring it to Wisconsin was Milwaukee, five years ago.
