Big Brothers Big Sisters Brochure

Start Something™
Impactful



All Children Need Someone Who
Believes In Them

T he Big Brothers Big Sisters experience opens new horizons for children; it is the attention of a one-to-one
friendship – the mentorship – the connection – that lights a path to a more successful future. Our youth come
from environments that put them at risk of continuing a pattern that is difficult to break. Connecting youth
with our mentors who work with them has a transformational impact.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles’ mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and
enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

We affectionately call our mentors ‘Bigs,’

“ ”and our mentees, ‘Littles.’

Being a Big is fun! It’s really all about showing up, being con-

“ ”sistent, and building a trusting relationship with your Little.

You Can Positively Impact A Child’s Life Our Littles Come from Many Backgrounds

Do you remember someone in your life who taught you n 56% Hispanic/Latino
to believe in yourself, who inspired you to work hard
in school and in life? Someone who celebrated in your
success and guided you through your failures? That
someone was your mentor. That is the power of a mentor.

It takes one person to make a difference in a n 24% Black
child’s life – and that person is you! n 11 % Multi Ethnic

We Offer Three Types of Mentoring n 6% White
Programs: n 3% Other/Not Listed

1C ommunity-Based Mentoring: Youth are matched In 2013
with carefully screened adult mentors for activities in
your neighborhood, 3 to 5 hours twice a month. 97%of BBBS mentees in the Los Angeles area
graduated from high school.
2 School-Based Mentoring: Mentors meet their mentees
at their school one day a week during the school year. compared to

3W orkplace Mentoring: An educational and vocational 68%graduation rate noted by
program that matches corporate volunteers with local Los Angeles Unified
high school youth. Meetings take place monthly at the School District.
company’s offices.
Source: California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CalPADS)
Mentors help keep students in school. They make children
more confident. They help our kids set and achieve goals. And
our youth relate better to their friends and families.

More than 100 kids in Los Angeles County are waiting for a
mentor and 7 out of 10 are boys who need a Big Brother. By
becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, you can inspire a child to
become someone they never thought possible.

THE MATCHING PROCESS

Community and School-Based Programs

From website, Customer Relations Specialist (CRS) Littles and Bigs are interviewed by
phone call, or conducts a background Enrollment Matching Specialists (EMS)
recruitment event. and DMV check for their preferences and personal interests.
Bigs are also screened to ensure child safety
and interviews all references.
and the provision of high quality,
dedicated mentors to our youth.

Finding Your Best Match 85% of mentees increased
scholastic competence.
We will work to ensure that you, as a future mentor, will be
a great match with your new mentee by discussing your Source: 2013 BBBSLA Youth Outcome Survey Report
interests, preferences and backgrounds. You can simply
incorporate your Little into your everyday activities.

“ My Big made me a You, as a mentor, will be the greatest resource to our
better me.” organization. We will work with you to provide a variety of
opportunities and resources. These range from connecting
you with sponsored activities and events to helping answer
any of your questions.

Play sports together. Watch the local game. Go on a hike. Most Bigs will tell you that their Little has had an equal, if not
Read books. Listen to good music. Whatever it is, odds are greater impact on their lives. While your time investment is
you’ll enjoy it even more with your Little—and you’ll be a minimal, you will find that the hours, meals, and activities
positive influence on his or her future. add up to great memories.

An EMS matches* A Match Support Specialist (MSS) supervises
the Little and Big based upon:
the match through:
• Compatibility
• Culture • Monthly/quarterly contacts with

• Geographic proximity Little, Big and Parent/Guardian

*When making a match, our EMS team considers interests • Providing resources to
from the Big, the Little, and the Little's Parent/Guardian
Big, Little, and Parent/Guardian

• Inviting matches to agency or

corporate-sponsored events and activities



Kids In Our Program: 90%ofbmeheanvteioers(iambpursoinvgedalocromhaoalcli,nodthrauoignl se,dpthhyesiircaatltvitiouldeenscteo,wtruaardnscryi)s.ky

ÜÜ Show higher aspirations, greater confidence, smoking drugs
and better relationships
RISK
ÜÜ Avoid risky behaviors
ÜÜ Succeed in school Source: 2013 BBBSLA Youth Outcome Survey Report

Children with a mentor – a Big Brother or Big Sister – show 93%
improved academic performance. Research shows that Improved in parental trust.
they have a higher percentage of assignments turned
in on time, lower rates of skipping school and fewer Source: 2013 BBBSLA Youth Outcome Survey Report
disciplinary problems. Most importantly, they have a more
positive attitude toward the future.

“I was mentoring my Little

but the whole time, he was

teaching me.”

Kids without positive guidance from a role model are
more likely to engage in self-destructive behavior. They
miss out on chances to learn and grow – a chance to reach
their potential. But when a child bonds with a mentor, the
impact is often immediate and transformative.

Every person really needs to look to youth for our future. These are the people who

“ ”will be running the world. We don’t function in a vacuum, we all have a role.

Workplace mentoring sponsored by

Mentoring Changes Lives. But It Can Only $ $1,500 per year to fund a
Happen With Your Support. mentoring relationship at
+ Big Brothers Big Sisters of
When you contribute, you increase the odds for helping
an at-risk child. By supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles.
Los Angeles, you help us provide another child with a fair
chance. A chance to be successful in school and in life. VS –

We serve children who face adversity, those with difficult It costs local counties $
family or economic issues. Your financial investment allows about $100,000 annually to
us to match carefully screened volunteers with these children house one youth in a juvenile
and provide ongoing professional management and support
needed to keep the mentoring relationship strong. detention center.

It costs an average of $1,500 per year to match an at-risk Source: UCI Center for Psychology & Law
child with one of our volunteer mentors, and another $1,000
fostering that relationship over the year.

Your financial gift says,‘I know my contribution makes an
impact.’That impact will grow and inspire others to follow.

We’ve helped thousands yet, there still is a demand for
more. Your donation helps enhance our impact on our
one-to-one relationships. It enables us to set up more Bigs
with Littles. It helps provide more programs and services
and expand our reach within the community.

Mentoring does change lives - not just for the child but
for the family and for our community. And our success
could not be possible without you.

$Donate or find ways to get involved. Call us at

$ $213.213.2422 or visit bbbsla.org/donate. Help a child
$ $ $ $ $facing adversity get closer to a positive life experience.

BSoema ePtahritnogf BIGGER!Get involved through one of our threeSchool-

mentoring programs:Based Mentoring:

B BCommunity- Mentors meet their
Based Mentoring:
Youth are matched withmentees at their school

carefully screened adultone day a week duringWorkplace
the school year. Mentoring:
2mentors for activities in your
neighborhood, 3 to 5An educational and
1hours twice a month.
vocational program that matches
D$NOONWAT!E 3SYourdonationmakesa
corporate volunteers with local
difference in the lives of
children and families in your high school youth. Meetings

Bcommunity. take place monthly at the

company’s offices.

Get started today, visit Call 213-481-3611
bbbsla.org

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This brochure was made with the support of the Taproot Foundation