SR596: SR596 Big Brothers Big Sisters Agencies across Georgia; recognize

This Senate resolution honors four Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies operating in Georgia: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, of the Chattahoochee Valley, of the Northwest Georgia Mountains, and of the Heart of Georgia. It describes their mentoring programs, including school-based and workplace mentoring efforts, and credits them with helping reduce chronic absenteeism and improve academic outcomes for the students they serve. The resolution does not create any new law, funding, or requirement. Instead, the Senate formally recognizes these organizations' work, commends a specific program called Level Up for reducing absenteeism, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies of the resolution to the four named agencies.

• Formally recognizes four Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in Georgia for their mentoring work with youth and families.
• Commends the Level Up school-based mentoring program for reducing chronic absenteeism and improving student success.
• States the Senate's 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.

The resolution directly names and honors Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, of the Chattahoochee Valley, of the Northwest Georgia Mountains, and of the Heart of Georgia, along with the students, families, and schools these mentoring programs serve in their respective regions.

Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it does not change any Georgia statute, create funding, or impose new requirements. Its practical effect is symbolic: it publicly acknowledges these mentoring agencies' work and expresses Senate support for expanding similar programs.

• The whereas clauses describe the specific mentoring programs run by each of the four named Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies, including workplace mentoring and the Level Up school-based program.
• One whereas clause cites a longitudinal study finding that mentees, called Littles, earn 15 percent more over their lifetime than peers.
• The resolved clause has the Senate recognize the agencies, commend Level Up, and support expanding mentorship programs.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies of the resolution to the four named agencies.

1. 2026-01-27Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-01-22Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)Primary sponsor
• 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)

• youth mentoring
• school attendance
• education
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Georgia Senate resolution