Dating back to 1902, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is a community mentoring program that matches an adult volunteer to a child, with the expectation that a caring and supportive relationship will develop. BBBS is guided by a rationale (similar in many respects to social control and resilience theories) that the consistent presence of a non-familial caring adult can make a difference in the social/emotional development of a child or young person, particularly one growing up in a single parent family or in an adverse situation. BBBS goals include: decreasing or delaying anti-social activities; improving academic performance, attitudes and behaviors; improving relationships with family and friends; strengthening self-concept; and providing social and cultural enrichment. The screening and matching of volunteer mentors is a very important component of BBBS, as is the ongoing supervision of the mentoring relationship by a professional BBBS staff member, through a case management approach. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) is a national organization, but programs operate semi-autonomously out of community-based agencies. BBBS is one of 10 interventions selected by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence for inclusion among its “Blueprints” programs. It is also highlighted in Communities that Care Prevention Strategies: A Research Guide to What Works.

Target Population

- Grade Level: from  First grade to  Twelfth grade