
Organization at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona Area

Organization at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona Area
Since 1955, BBBS has provided a unique program to families in Maricopa County by providing a “best practice” service of one-to-one mentoring. The agency’s service area expanded to Gila County in 2001 and to Pinal County in 2005.
A Big Brother or Big Sister offers a child quality modeling, positive time together, and the opportunity for the child to develop a healthy relationship with a screened and trained mentor. As a primary prevention service, any child age 6 – 14 is eligible to apply. A majority of the children served are from single parent, low-income families. The “matches” participate in various activities such as reading, hiking, crafts, sports, and attending special agency events.
Providing quality mentors for children is the mission of BBBS. The agency strives to achieve the enhancement of maturity, self-esteem, and personal responsibility in all those it serves. Programs for youth are either Community-Based or School-Based. In the Community-Based program volunteers pick up the child at their home and participate in fun activities throughout the community. In the School-Based program volunteers are matched to elementary school youth and participate in activities on the school grounds. BBBS currently operates 13 School-Based programs.
(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
Currently holds this position
Community-Based Mentoring- A 1996 impact study by Public/Private Ventures of the effectiveness of Big Brother Big Sister mentoring programs found that Little Brothers and Sisters who met with their mentor regularly for about a year were: • 46% less likely to start using drugs • 27% less likely to start drinking. • 52% less likelyskip school • More trusting of their parents or guardians