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Big Brother, Big Sister, Big Couple & Big Family
One Hour a Week Can Make a BIG Difference!
Community-based mentoring is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters relationship. It’s all about one-on-one time between the volunteer and the young person doing things they enjoy — a few hours a couple times a month filled with shared interests and activities like:
- Shooting hoops
- Playing a board game
- Sharing a pizza
- Taking a walk in the park
- Or just hanging out and talking
The schedule can be flexible to meet the needs of mentors and young people in different kinds of situations. Some Bigs meet their Littles on the weekend or in the evening. Others get together with their Littles after school. There’s almost no one so busy that they can’t find a way to fit in a few hours a month.
Especially when they learn what a difference mentoring makes.
National and state statistics show that children who are mentored are more likely to improve in school, enjoy better relationships with family and peers, and are less likely to skip school or use illegal drugs or alcohol. Students who are successful in school are less likely to drop out, become pregnant, abuse drugs or become involved in criminal activity.
In a nationwide study, Little Brothers and Little Sisters were:
- 52% less likely to skip school
- 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
- More likely to get along with their families and peers
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