OVERVIEW
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. We have been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors children, ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country - including yours.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters Vision is successful mentoringrelationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to brighter futures, better schools, and stronger communities for all.
Our Mentoring Programs Work
National research has shown that positive relationships between youth and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters mentors have a
direct and measurable impact on children's lives. By participating in our youth mentoring programs, Little Brothers and
Sisters are:
- More confident in their schoolwork performance
- Able to get along better with their families
- 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
- 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- 52% less likely to skip school.
HISTORY
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America was founded in 1904, and celebrated its 100th year of service to children in 2004. Nationally, the program serves approximately 225,000 children, with the goal to serve 1,000,000 children.
BBBS of Helena started in 1967 as a part-time project of a priest in the Helena diocese. With Carroll College students as volunteers, the Community Mentoring Program supported seven Big Brother Big Sister relationships. The first Board of Directors, formed in 1971, raised funds through the Emergency Employment Act grant to hire the program's first full-time Executive director. In 1992 BBBS of Helena affiliated with BBBS of America and standardized program delivery. The inception of the School Mentoring Program was an effort to serve more children in the community. Initially funded by a grant from the Montana Board of Crime Control in 1996, the program matched high school students with students from a nearby elementary school. The early program was small, yet it has grown considerably since it's meager beginning. The School Mentoring Program now encompasses both Helena High School , Capital High School , students from Carroll College and UMHelena, employees from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Valley Bank, Northrop Grumman, Dick Anderson Construction, and other adult volunteers from the community. The School Mentoring Program now serves over 200 children annually and is in 9 local elementary schools and one middle school. The Community Mentoring Program serves an average of 150 kids each year.
