Community-Based Mentoring

In the community-based program, Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers provide children and youth – our “Littles” – individualized time and attention on a regular basis, typically 2 – 3 times a month, for two to three hours. During unstructured weekly or bi-weekly outings (filled with conversations and shared activities), they develop a relationship that helps youth manage the everyday challenges that are part of “growing up.” During the time spent with their Big, children gain new skills, explore new interests and test behaviors that expand their experience base beyond their family or neighborhood.

Over the course of time, children gain self-confidence, acquire new skills and competencies, and develop an enhanced capacity to care for others – all tasks that are a part of developing healthy maturity. Volunteers experience a sense of discovery and enjoyment as they see the world of possibility open up through the child’s eyes. A variety of evaluations demonstrate positive outcomes for children in the program. This program has served hundreds of thousands of boys and girls since the founding of the organization in 1904.

 

School-Based Mentoring

Through Site-Based Mentoring, a core BBBS program initiated in the 1990s, volunteers offer children and youth individualized time and attention on a consistent basis, with the venue being the child’s school, church, or community centers, rather than the community.  Most Site-Based programs are conducted at community schools.  Teachers identify those children who can most benefit from an extra caring adult in their lives. Volunteers and children meet regularly during the school year – typically each week, utilizing the resources available within the school: computer labs, the library, the gym, a classroom, or the schoolyard. During the summer, they may exchange letters, email messages or phone calls, or attend an agency-sponsored event. Over the course of time, some matches move to become Community-Based Matches so they can meet more regularly.

Whether they play board games or read the newspaper together, their relationship promotes a positive school experience for the child: good attendance, positive peer and adult relationships, a positive attitude, and academic enrichment. As their friendship evolves over time, volunteers and children discover ways to make school and learning fun. When matches continue from one school year to the next, volunteers experience the satisfaction of watching their Littles achieve success in school. Match activities take place during the school day, at lunch, or after school, depending on the arrangement that is agreed upon with the school.  Volunteers in school-based mentoring include: high school students (sometimes called High School Mentoring), college students (sometimes called College Mentoring), adults, and volunteers from corporations and businesses (sometimes called corporate mentoring).