Big Brothers Big Sisters

THE BIG BROTHERS Big Sisters program, long a one-on-one mentoring program within the United States, pairs single-parent youth with adult mentors who agree to participate in recreational and beneficial activities, ranging from visiting the zoo to doing homework or discussing the dangers of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use.

A volunteer Big Brother or Big Sister, generally recruited from the community, helps a young person have a better sense of self and a more positive view of his or her future. The mentoring relationship empowers both the youngsters and the adults working with them to be more active in their community, creating possibilities for both what the program refers to as “the Littles” and “the Bigs” through their relationships.

Educated and trained staff members recruit and select volunteers, assess the needs of children and youth, communicate with parents and other primary caretakers, create the matches of volunteer adult and needy child, supervise the relationships over the lifetime of the match, and officially intervene to sever the matches when appropriate. Big Brothers Big Sisters states that research and more than a century of experience demonstrate that success of a local program depends on the following essentials: the program is voluntary for all parties involved; the program is professionally managed; all volunteers are screened for their appropriateness, ability, and safety; all volunteers are provided with an orientation and training in mentoring, child development, and expectations; the needs of all children and youth are assessed before being matched; all match relationships are supervised by a professional; matches are professionally closed and all parties informed in writing; a board of volunteers provides connections with the community, monitors the service delivery system, [Page 81]and assists in fundraising; policies and procedures for service delivery are developed that adhere to international standards and reflect the community in which the program is being carried out; and steps are taken to measure the impact of the mentoring relationship and to monitor quality and safety.

While not a formal antipoverty program, Big Brothers Big Sisters is built on the principle that vulnerable children may not be able to reach their full potential in growing up without an interested nonparent adult filling the role that extended family members provided in years past.

The philosophy behind the program since its founding in the United States in 1904 is that without caring adult support during the crucial times in their life, children will be ill-equipped to develop their skills and knowledge to become important contributors to their country's future and shape their own destiny. Volunteers are encouraged to help children make important decisions, apply themselves at school, and achieve personal as well as academic excellence. Mentors discourage violent behavior and encourage the avoidance of substance abuse.

Big Brothers Big Sisters claims to be the oldest and largest mentoring program in the world, with country-specific programs that recruit, train, and supervise volunteers in one-to-one mentoring relationships with children-at-risk around the world who are not reaching their potential because of family or environmental constraints or limitations.

Big Brothers Big Sisters says that its model has been evaluated and proven that an ongoing friendship relationship with a young person has significant impact. These evaluations indicate that children's lives are enriched and strengthened, leading to more positive and constructive behavior with regard to education, peer relationships, family relationships, use of drugs and alcohol, and acts of violence.

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