Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda has axed its executive director as the downturn of the economy takes its toll on charitable giving.The mentoring charity has been forced to restructure its staffing levels so the charity can continue to help Bermuda’s most vulnerable children at a time they need it most.Executive director Esme Williams has been made redundant and administrative officer Dina-Mae Richardson’s full-time position has been made part-time. The BBBS board of directors said it was not an easy decision to make but they acted with the best interests of Bermuda’s children at heart.They said the charity, which relies of community donations, had been “negatively impacted by the economic downturn of our local economy.”BBBS helps children predominantly from single-parent homes by setting up long-term relationships with adult mentors. The ‘Bigs’ become positive role-models and friends to the ‘Littles.’The charity is struggling to survive with increased demand and diminishing funds. It currently has about 150 matches, but there are a further 100 children on the waiting list, most of these are boys.The charity’s research has shown that young people who are matched with mentors are 52 percent more likely to stay in school, 46 percent less likely to use drugs, and 32 percent less likely to engage in acts of violence.Charity bosses called the cost-cutting measure “an unavoidable change” and “an honest intention of fiscal responsibility.” But they remain confident that the “quality of service and commitment” of their work will continue.BBBS was awarded a grant of $35,000 from Government for the 2009/10 financial year, but charities across Bermuda are known to have suffered from this year’s sweeping budget cuts.For the last few years BBBS has also received a grant of about $350,000 from Atlantic Philanthropies, but that annual donation ceased this year.A letter sent to all parents and ‘Bigs’ this week was titled ‘A reassessment of our status during these tough economic times.’The letter, from BBBS President Rosette Simmons, read: “So as not to diminish the quality of our programmes and the key roles our caseworkers play in our mentoring relationships, the BBBS board of directors has had to restructure the organisation in the best interests of our key stakeholders: our ‘Littles’.”The charity will continue to be run and managed by an Executive Committee.Joint committees, made up of board members, staff and volunteers, will now be established to take over the day-to-day running.The letter states: “This management structure is a return to a formula that successfully worked for BBBS for many years, and we hope that it will do so again.”The charity, which was founded in 1978, continues to employ one full-time and two part-time case managers and a fund development/ marketing communications director.Ms Williams joined the charity in 2002 as a part-time case manager, then became executive director in 2004 when former executive director Patrice Minors moved to Government.Ms Williams, who is the former principal of Southampton Glebe School, was instrumental in the growth of the charity and its move from Front Street to Charities House on Point Finger Road.Ms Williams said her resignation had come as a complete shock, but she hoped to continue with her community work.She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda. It was a pleasure to work with the staff, parents, volunteers and children.“Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children showed the stark reality of the need for the Island’s youngsters to have mentors in their lives to give them that sense of direction. You could really see the changes in children when they were matched with a mentor.“Those times of joy will always be with me.”In the letter Ms Simmons publicly thanked Ms Williams. She wrote: “We are extremely grateful for all that she has done at BBBS and cannot say thank you enough for all her hard work.”BBBS hosts regular events throughout the year for its Bigs and Littles including soccer competitions, bowling, kite-making, a Dolphin Quest fun day and a Christmas appreciation lunch.Ms Richardson could not be reached for comment last night and Ms Simmons did not respond to a request for comment.To make a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters Bermuda, call 232-2802 or visit www.bbbs.bm.