Manifest Foundation

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Compared to children not in our program, researchers found that after 18 months of spending time with their “Bigs”, the Little Brothers and Little Sisters were...

•   46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
•   27% less likely to begin using alcohol
•   52% less likely to skip school
•   37% less likely to skip a class
•   33% less likely to hit someone

They also found “Littles” were more confident of their school performance and got along better with their families.  “We have known all along that Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mentoring has a long-lasting, positive effect on children’s confidence, grades and social skills,” affirms Karen J. Mathis, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s President and CEO, “and the results of this impact study scientifically confirm that belief.”

“These findings are very good news, particularly at a time when many people contend that ‘nothing works’ in reaching teenagers,” says Gary Walker, former president of Public/Private Ventures.  “This program suggests a strategy the country can build on to make a difference, especially for youth in single-parent families.”

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Match

One-on-one matches are the driving force behind making an impact on children.  A Big Brothers Big Sisters’ match is carefully administered and held to the strictest standards.  Agency staff strives for matches that are not only safe and well suited to each child’s needs, but also harmonious and built to last.  The entire matching process, from the initial screening to the final pairing—and beyond—is made possible by your financial support.

But don’t mistake BBBS as a mere matchmaker.  The agency provides ongoing support and supervision to the “Big”, the “Little”, and the “Little’s” family.  BBBS offers training and advice to help ensure the match works for everyone involved.  Local agencies even receive their own ongoing training and consulting from the Big Brothers Big Sisters national office.  It is this web of support that helps maximize the likelihood that a Big Brothers Big Sisters relationship will thrive.

The study found that Big Brothers Big Sisters’ matches consistently spend more time together, and continue as a match for longer periods than those in other mentoring programs which Public/Private Ventures has studied.  “In mentoring programs without this infrastructure, we have found that relationships evaporate too soon for effects to be possible,” says Walker.  To find out how to become a Big, please visit www.bbbs.org.