FARGO, N.D. — Businesses, community organizations, and residents across Fargo-Moorhead are coming together this September to Paint the Town Green, a month-long community awareness campaign benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Village Family Service Center.
Throughout September, local businesses will feature green-themed products, promotions, events, and activities to raise awareness of the need for mentors and support local youth. Community members can get involved by visiting those businesses, attending events, sharing campaign messages, donating, or applying to become a mentor known as a Big.
The campaign was created to increase awareness of the life-changing impact of mentoring and to help connect more children in the Fargo-Moorhead area with caring adult role models. Big Brothers Big Sisters currently has more than 80 children waiting to be matched with a mentor.
"Paint the Town Green is really about bringing our community together around something bigger than any one organization or business," said Jack Yakowicz, chair of the BBBS Committee and current Big. "We've seen incredible enthusiasm from local businesses that want to use their platform, creativity, and community connections to help more children access the support and opportunities that mentoring can provide."
Big Brothers Big Sisters creates professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that help young people develop confidence, resilience, and positive life skills. Local outcome surveys continue to demonstrate the impact of mentoring, with participating youth showing improvements in educational expectations, social competence, and emotional well-being.
"Every child deserves someone who believes in them," said Susan Smith, Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Village Family Service Center. "Mentoring helps young people build confidence, strengthen relationships, and see new possibilities for their future. Paint the Town Green gives our community a fun and meaningful way to help more children access those opportunities."
Community members interested in participating, becoming a mentor, donating, or learning more about campaign activities can visit PaintFargoGreen.com. Businesses interested in joining the campaign throughout September are also encouraged to get involved.
