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The Mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County, MD, is to provide positive role modeling and to enhance and encourage self-esteem and growth of children and single-parent families so that together we can improve the quality of life for the children, parents and volunteers we serve, and for the community at large.

A Big Brother, Big Sister, Big Couple becomes a friend, confidant and mentor. The relationship provides the “Little” with an increased sense of belonging, and often leads to enhanced communication skills and improved performance at home, school and in the community. The “Bigs” and “Littles” have fun together and, ultimately, the volunteer benefits too by “giving something back” and truly making a difference in the life of a child.

Each carefully screened volunteer commits to spending a few hours each week for a minimum of one year with their Little Brother or Little Sister. Together they share experiences, accomplishments and concerns. A professional Casework Supervisor provides supervision and support, and work with the volunteer, child and family to set goals for the match.

The agency also sponsors group activities every other month during the year for both matched and unmatched Littles. These activities include holiday dinners, an annual pool party, car rally and other activities.

A recent study conducted by Public/Private Ventures, a respected national research firm based in Philadelphia, examined the impact of mentoring on youth. Public/Private Ventures found that Little Brothers and Little Sisters who met with their volunteer “Bigs” regularly for a year were:

• 46% less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs and 27% less likely to start drinking.
• 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school and 37% less likely to skip a class.
• 33% less likely to get in fights or to hit someone.
• More trusting of their parents or guardians, less likely to lie to them, and felt more supported and less criticized by their peers and friends.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County has been serving children in our local community since 1956 by “matching” adult mentors in the community-based program with at-risk youth, based on a child’s specific needs and common interests. Through these one-to-one friendships, the program has helped hundreds of children increase their self-confidence, reach their full potential, and see themselves – often for the first time – as having happy and successful futures. A school-based program serving students at Eastern Elementary School was started in 2002. Adult mentors meet with students referred by a classroom teacher for at least one hour in a school setting. They help the student with their school work, take time to talk with the child or make use of “school space”.

Policy and program guidelines are established by a community-based Board of Directors. The agency is affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and follows national program standards and procedures.

                         

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