By Andy Dahn

NORMAL – Big Brothers and Big Sisters of McLean County held its year-end picnic Thursday, in which they honored this year’s graduates from the program.

Director of Marketing and Public Relations Brittin Haury said when it comes to the organizations impact on its participants the numbers speak for themselves.

“Youth involved in our program are 46 percent less likely to use drugs, 27 percent less likely to use alcohol underage, 52 percent less likely to skip school and just many other statistics,” said Haury. “So we’re really happy for the youth that are involved in our program to be able to improve in many areas of their lives.”

Haury said the impact of the program goes far beyond the numbers.

“We see caring adult mentors that are excited about the youth and their lives and success,” Haury said. “And that is really contagious.”

Haury talked more about the positive impact Big Brothers Big Sisters has on its participants.

“The youth involved in our program get excited about having a mentor,” said Haury. “Someone who is just there for them. And it spreads to many other aspects of their life that they get excited about.”

Andy Dahn can be reached at [email protected].