BTB: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today presented a Back the Blue Award to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay for facilitating a program that builds trust and great relationships between law enforcement and local communities. The agency founded the Bigs in Blue mentoring program that focuses on pairing law enforcement personnel as one-on-one mentors to children in the communities they serve. More than 90 officers, deputies and support staff from 19 agencies representing seven counties have already signed up to be volunteer mentors. The mentors serve one hour a week, spending time with local children by helping with academics, playing sports, going for walks and much more. The program has paired more than 3,000 children with mentors since its creation in 2017.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The Bigs in Blue Program is an incredible program that allows for law enforcement men and women to serve as mentors, role models and friends to children who need guidance and direction in their lives. The influence of this program in only a few years since it launched is already impressive, and I cannot wait to see the success it has in the future. Thank you, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, for being proactive in the development of our children and going above and beyond to strengthen our communities.”

Attorney General Moody today attended the annual Bigs in Blue Summit in Tampa and presented the Back the Blue Award to agency CEO and President Stephen Koch. The agency’s mission is “to provide children facing adversity with professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships that will change their lives for the better, forever.” The more than 3,000 Little Brothers and Little Sisters paired with mentors are from Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties.

To nominate a law enforcement officer, citizen or organization for a Back the Blue Award, please email Georgia.Pevy@MyFloridaLegal.com.

For more information about the Attorney General’s Back the Blue Award, click here.
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Back the Blue campaign highlights law enforcement officers, citizens and organizations taking extraordinary steps to forge positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Supporting law enforcement is a top priority for Attorney General Moody and the mission of Back the Blue is to commend Florida’s brave law enforcement officers and Floridians who back them.