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Vision & Mission
The Big Brothers Big Sisters Vision is successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to better schools, brighter futures, and stronger communities for all.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with measurable impact.
Big Brothers Big Sisters: 100 Years of Youth Mentoring
Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. In 2004, the organization served more than 225,000 youth ages five through 18, in 5,000 communities across the country, through a network of 470 agencies. National research has shown that the positive relationships between Big Brothers and Big Sisters and their Littles have a direct, measurable, and lasting impact on children’s lives. To experience the difference Big Brother or Big Sister can make, read about real life matches.
Research and anecdotal evidence show specifically that BBBS one-to-one mentoring helps at-risk youth overcome the many challenges they face. Little Brothers and Sisters are less likely to begin using illegal drugs, consume alcohol, skip school and classes, or engage in acts of violence. They have greater self-esteem, confidence in their schoolwork performance, and are able to get along better with their friends and families.
In 2003, Big Brothers Big Sisters was selected by Forbes Magazine as one of its top ten charities, making the publication’s “gold star” list of charities which it believes are worthy of donor consideration, in its annual survey of 200 large charities. The magazine surveyed 200 non-profits and rated them on how efficiently they collect and distribute dollars. Forbes looked at three categories: charitable commitment; fundraising efficiency, and donor dependency.
Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than 225,000 children, ages five through 18, in 5,000 communities across all 50 states. There are two core Big Brothers Big Sisters programs:
Big Brothers Big Sisters - Community-based
Volunteers provide Littles with one-on-one time and attention in their communities, typically two to four times a month. During these unstructured outings they cultivate relationships that provide children with skills to manage every day challenges. Through simple friendship, Bigs experience the joy of helping children discover a world of possibilities and opportunities.
Big Brothers Big Sisters in Schools
Volunteers provide Littles with one-on-one time and attention in their schools, typically once a week during the academic year. Teachers identify children who can benefit most from interaction with a caring adult. As their friendships evolve, volunteers and children discover ways to make school and learning fun. Additionally, there are several related programs that are customized to specific categories of children, volunteers or partners. They include:
Amachi Big Brothers Big Sisters
Amachi congregation members serve children of incarcerated parents. Big Brothers Big Sisters screens and matches church members with children who have been identified and enrolled by their custodial parent or guardian. An onsite church volunteer coordinator provides a point of contact for ongoing volunteer support and information. Because the church is a common meeting ground, there are enhanced opportunities for group events involving matches, or for support and training activities for volunteers.
Alpha Phi Alpha BBBS
Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity volunteers meet one-on-one with African American boys for sponsored activities (sporting events, picnics, informal get-togethers, etc.). Alpha Phi Alpha members have a strong ethic of service and are positive role models for their Littles.
Club-based Big Brothers and Big Sisters (Up2Us)
Boys & Girls Club volunteers meet with their Littles at the club, typically three times a month for recreational activities that last one to two hours. The program provides structure and offers a safe meeting place, which appeals to parents, children and volunteers. The BBBS-BGC partnership grew out of a pilot project funded by a 2001 Pillsbury Foundation grant.
Corporate Volunteers
Businesses and corporations partner with local Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates to encourage volunteerism and community support among their employees. Employees are recruited and enrolled as a group, and paired one-on-one with children in a nearby school. Typically, volunteers meet with their Littles once a week during their lunch hour.
High School Bigs
High school juniors and seniors provide elementary student Littles with one-on-one time and attention, once a week during the academic year. The pairs meet during or after school hours depending on the proximity of their school locations. High School Bigs experience the joy and life changing power of service, build college resumes, and may receive school credits. Littles have the opportunity to connect with a role model close to their own age whom they identify with strongly.
Other Programs
Additional Big Brothers Big Sisters programs include those which take place at workplaces, community centers Y’s, and (non-Amachi) faith-based venues. Big Brothers Big Sisters works closely with parents and guardians to match every child with the right Big. Every volunteer is screened, trained, and supervised, and professionals in youth development support each match to help ensure that the relationship will be safe and rewarding for everyone involved.
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