Georgia CommonsSR 596: Big Brothers Big Sisters Agencies across Georgia; recognize
Last action January 27, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution formally recognizes Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring agencies across the state for their work supporting students, families, and school attendance.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a formal statement from the Senate honoring four Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies: the Metro Atlanta, Chattahoochee Valley, Northwest Georgia Mountains, and Heart of Georgia chapters, for their mentoring programs that pair young people with adult role models. The resolution highlights specific programs, including a workplace mentoring program and the school-based Level Up program, and cites a study finding that mentored youth earn 15 percent more over their lifetimes than peers. The Senate resolves to recognize these agencies, commend the Level Up program for reducing chronic absenteeism, and support continued expansion of mentorship programs. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies of the resolution to the four named agencies.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes four named Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in Georgia for their mentoring work with youth and families.
- Commends the Level Up school-based mentoring program specifically for reducing chronic absenteeism and improving student engagement.
- Expresses Senate support for continued expansion of mentorship-based programs in Georgia schools.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the four named agencies.
- Does not create any new funding, legal requirement, or program; it is a symbolic statement of recognition.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names and honors Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, Chattahoochee Valley, Northwest Georgia Mountains, and Heart of Georgia. It also references the students, families, and schools these agencies serve, particularly in Whitfield, Murray, Laurens, Peach, Wilkinson, and Baldwin counties.
Why it matters
While the resolution carries no legal force or funding, it publicly signals state-level support for youth mentoring programs and highlights their reported effects on school attendance and long-term earnings, which could help these agencies with visibility, partnerships, or future funding requests.
Key provisions
- The resolving clause recognizes the four named agencies for their leadership supporting youth, families, and schools.
- It commends the Level Up program specifically for reducing chronic absenteeism and strengthening student success.
- It states Senate support for continued expansion of the mentorship program described in the resolution.
- A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies to the four named agencies.
From the bill
“being a Little closes 2/3 of the economic gap, demonstrating that mentorship is a powerful tool for strengthening Georgia's workforce pipeline and promoting lifelong success”
“commend the Level Up program for its proven impact in reducing chronic absenteeism and strengthening student success in Georgia's schools”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
- Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
- Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
- Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
- David Lucas (D, SD-026)
- Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
- Donzella James (D, SD-028)
- Ed Setzler (R, SD-037)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
- Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
- Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
- Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
Topics
- youth mentoring
- school attendance
- education
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Georgia Senate resolution