Programs & Projects
Community-Based Mentoring
Community-Based Mentoring is the organization’s flagship program. The program matches youth ages 6 to 18, predominantly from low-income households, with adult volunteer mentors. Spending one-on-one time in the local community is primarily how these relationships develop. Each match is unique and creates a schedule that works for them. During outings, Bigs and Littles do everyday activities that provide children with the opportunity to expand their skills and discover a world of possibilities for their life.
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BIG Futures
Part of our young adult mentoring initiative, add in high school support ages 15-18 in our Big Futures program, Littles, ages 18 to 24 maintain a relationship with their Big even after high school graduation. By providing additional resources and support, this extended match mentorship helps youth navigate one of the most pivotal times in their lives– the transition into young adulthood. Big Futures supports Matches around the three “E’s” – Education, Employment or Enlistment, and serves as a resource for youth wanting to attend college, enter the workforce or enlist in military service after high school. BBBS’ helps Little Brothers and Sisters find the most useful resources for their individual needs, enabling them to access information on job readiness, resume building, college degree requirements, work/life skills, or enlistment requirements. By extending the match relationship into the transitional years of young adulthood, Big Futures provides Littles with stability, support and guidance as they begin to expand their knowledge of the larger world and find their unique place within it.
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Site-Based Mentoring
In our Site-Based Mentoring Program, students ages 6 to 18 meet with volunteer mentors weekly during or after the school day at one of our partner school locations. Through the support of their mentors, children develop positive attitudes toward school, achieve higher grades, become more confident, and improve relationships with adults and peers. Mentoring matches participate in a variety of activities, such as reading together, going to the school library, working on homework, participating in group activities, or playing on the playground.
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Match Madness
A critical engagement and retention strategy for all programs, Match Madness provides structured group activities and events for matches and families in critical youth development areas like recreation, arts and culture, and health and fitness. We rely heavily on our committed network of business partners, donors, and program partners to assist in funding these reoccurring organized events and outings such as family social nights, trivia, Cookies & Canvas cookie decorating, movie and game nights, guided hikes, yoga, and more. These experiences promote positive connections, social skills, and emotions like happiness, friendship, curiosity, skill-building, and dedicated, special time just for them...exposing them to a world beyond their usual surroundings. These activities are also available to children on our waitlist.
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Social Emotional Learning
As part of our site- and community-based mentoring programs, we partner with volunteer mentors, local schools, community providers, youth and family services, and parents and families to significantly affect the positive social and emotional development and overall health of local young people. This critical initiative delivers special training, curricula, and activities in one-to-one and group mentoring relationships. With nearly 30% of school-aged children and young adults experiencing poor mental health, this initiative is crucial and addresses common stressors such as pressure to achieve academically, bullying, family issues, like parents who are unsupportive or financially unstable, packed school and social calendars, overexposure to social media, poor sleep habits, unhealthy food choices, romantic relationships, and use (and misuse) of substances.
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