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Our mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth, while working collaboratively to strengthen the quality of the mentoring field and close the mentoring gap.
• Extra encouragement and support
• One on one positive attention
• Someone to talk to about school, friends or home
We match local professionals and community members with students from a nearby school in one-to-one mentoring relationships.
“Big Brothers” and “Big Sisters” -
Adult volunteer mentors
“Little Brothers” and “Little Sisters” -
Students facing adversity who need an extra friend and role model
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence (BBBSI) has made quality matches for over 100 years.
•BBBSI is classified as a “Blueprint” program, making us a top intervention and prevention model for children.
• BBBSI supports other youth mentoring organizations through our MENTOR Independence Region by sharing evidence-based best practices and helping them apply them to their own mentoring work.
• Program Coordinators check in with students, parents and Bigs once a month
• Professional staff are on site during visits and provide fun activities for Bigs and Littles
• Program Coordinators provide guidance and advice as the relationship develops with ongoing, continual support
Students matched to Mentor 2.0 Program*:
• 96% of Littles increased their education expectations.
• 92% of Littles improved their academic performance
• 82% of Littles enhanced their social competence
* Based on surveys conducted by BBBS Program Coordinators
Volunteers Value Their Mentoring Experience in Mentor 2.0*:
93% of Bigs surveyed said that being a Big met or exceeded their expectations.
97% of Bigs surveyed said they feel prepared in handling the challenges of being a mentor.
93% of Bigs surveyed think being a Big made them feel more connected to their community.
* Based on surveys conducted by BBBS Program Coordinators
*Matches are currently meeting virtually due to COVID-19*
9th grade: Building relationship with their mentor
10th grade: Resume writing, summer job searching
11th grade: Learning the job market, college research
12th grade: Continued college readiness, FASFA, and preparing to exit high school
APPLY: Start your application through email. The first step is just providing us a brief amount of contact information.
In Pennsylvania all volunteers who work with children are mandated reported by law.
If you become a Big, you are required by law to make a report to Childline if you have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a victim of child abuse
Support from BBBS and your Program Coordinator will be provided
BBBSI serves over 3,000 matches and only makes 1-2 reports a month. That equates to 1% of our matches.
Contact: Helena McBride
Specialist
School Based Enrollment
hmcbride@IndependenceBigs.org
Contact: Kirsten Halker-Kratz
Director
Individual & Institutional Giving
KHalkerKratz@IndependenceBigs.org
215.701.8110