FTS International Makes a Big Difference in Little Lives by Mentoring Local Children

FORT WORTH, Texas - May 30, 2013 - PRLog -- Big Brothers Big Sisters is pleased to announce that FTS International (FTSI) – a leading independent provider of well stimulation services for the oil and gas industry – will again participate in the organization’s Beyond School WallsSM initiative during the 2013-2014 school year. Beyond School Walls is a version of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ classic School-Based mentoring program – except that ‘Littles’ meet with their ‘Bigs’ at the workplace instead of the school.  

“It has been an honor for FTS International (FTSI) to participate in the Beyond School Walls program this past year,” says FTSI Chief Executive Officer Greg Lanham. “I truly believe our employees have benefitted from the program as much as the children. We look forward to continuing relationships next year and creating new ones as more employees get involved with this program.”

At the beginning of the school year, third graders from a Fort Worth elementary school near the FTSI office were paired with FTSI mentors. Accompanied by a teacher and a Big Brothers Big Sisters representative, the students visit FTSI’s Fort Worth office once a month to spend time with their Bigs. Together they work on crafts, tour the FTSI office or Downtown Fort Worth, work on homework, etc. As a result of this program, the students not only gain a new friend and role model, but they also learn about the corporate world first hand.

“FTSI has already made a big difference in these little lives, and we are so grateful for their contribution to Big Brothers Big Sisters,” said Roberta Meyer, Tarrant County Regional Executive Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters.  “Through these relationships with ‘Corporate Bigs,’ the kids are experiencing what it means to work for a corporation and the educational requirements needed to achieve this professional success.”

For some of FTSI’s employees, the decision to participate in Beyond School Walls was a very personal one. “I had mentors who steered me away from the occasional poor choice, and guided me down paths that I didn’t even know existed,” said Quandel Thomas, Senior Tax Analyst for FTSI.  “In 10th grade, I had a mentor that was also an accounting teacher. She noticed that I was pretty good with numbers and business concepts, so she suggested that I take her accounting class. That simple suggestion from a person who took an interest in me led to me becoming an accountant.”

Thomas continued, “I just want to provide a positive influence in the life of my Little – no matter how big or small the impact – that will help to mold him into the young man that he will one day become.”

About FTS International

FTS International (www.ftsi.com) is a leading provider of well completion services for the oil and gas industry. Exploration and production companies use FTSI’s products and services primarily to enhance their recovery rates from oil and gas wells. FTSI’s integration provides a competitive edge, as the company custom manufactures, assembles and produces many key components used in its operations, including high-pressure hydraulic pumps and mobile pressure pumping units. FTSI also offers wireline services and water management services, and owns and operates sand mines and facilities for producing proppants.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring organization, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes, such as educational success; avoidance of risky behaviors; and higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships.  Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children (“Littles”) with screened volunteer mentors (“Bigs”) and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course.  The first-ever Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Summary, released in 2012, substantiates that its mentoring programs have proven, positive academic, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes for youth (http://www.bbbs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=9iILI...), areas linked to high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency and college or job readiness.

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity, often those of single or low-income households or families where a parent is serving in the military or might be incarcerated, with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.  This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization’s 85-year history. Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star serves over 30,000 children, volunteers and families through 20 offices and over 100 counties in Texas. Learn how you can positively impact a child’s life - donate (http://www.bbbstx.org/site/c.8rJOK2MGJhLYH/b.6377647/k.C9...) or volunteer (http://www.bbbstx.org/site/c.8rJOK2MGJhLYH/b.6377649/K.E274/Volunteer_to_start_something.htm) at bbbstx.org (http://www.bbbstx.org/).