Michigan State Police Partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters

After announcing a partnership with the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), Executive Director Shari Davis-Schoech of Livingston County says she is “eternally grateful” for the decision to choose their organization to partner with.

“Whether it’s local or county or state, I don’t think we could do as good a job as we do of keeping kids safe without the involvement of police departments,” she said. “They help us on so many levels on so many different things.”

According to a press release from the Michigan State Police, the Memorandum of Agreement between the two parties is an “effort to help reduce delinquency, alcohol/tobaccos use, violence and truancy, among other things, of at-risk youth.” 

Working together, Davis-Schoech says there will be a more collaborative effort between the two groups to provide prevention type services for the kids who need help. 

“It doesn’t matter where a kids lives in Michigan, whether it’s the UP or Detroit, it’s just tougher being a kid,” she said. “They are more at-risk and they definitely need more good role models.”

Although there are already several state police officers who already volunteer for the BBBS organization, Davis-Schoech said that having a Memorandum of Agreement makes their partnership more official and hopes even more troopers will become involved with things such as fundraising efforts and volunteer programs.

Michigan State Police Trooper and Community Service Trooper Duane Zook is a currently one of their volunteers for the Lunch Buddies program, and according to Davis- Schoech, there is a “domino effect” when Zook is in the schools.

“The other kids get to see them interact in a positive and friendly manner and some of the kids have not had good experiences with the police because of their parent’s choices,” she said. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Livingston County will be hosting their annual "Bowl for Kids Sake" event this weekend in Hartland. The fundraiser will take place at Striking Lanes on March 8, 9 and 10.