Big Brothers-Big Sisters Agency of Santa Cruz County, Inc.

Programs: The mission of big brothers big sisters of santa cruz county is to provide childrenfacing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-onerelationships that change their lives for the better. Since 1982, big brothers bigsisters of santa cruz county has served over 5,800 at-risk youth by creating mentoring relationships between these children and carefully screened adultvolunteers, who provide consistent guidance, friendship and appropriate rolemodeling. The vision statement of big brothers big sisters of santa cruz county is:"successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them,contributing to brighter futures, stronger schools and better communities for all. "last fiscal year the agency provided mentoring services to 690 ethnically diverseclients throughout santa cruz county. Big brothers big sisters recruits volunteers to mentor those children at greatest risk of school truancy, drop-out, drug use, teen pregnancy and/or criminal activity. Over 83% of agency clients live below the federal poverty level, most are living in single-parent homes, and many are struggling due to cultural and language barriers. Big brothers big sisters' mentoring services help these children to believe in their potential and to make healthier decisions for their futures. The agency has two primary programs. In the one-to-one program, volunteers serve asmentors in one-to-one relationships with children between the ages of 7 and 18. Potential volunteers go through a rigorous intake process, which includes anapplication, references, dmv report, criminal history check, interviews and training. Volunteers spend 3 to 5 hours per week with the children they are matched to, for a minimum of one year. The average match at big brothers big sisters of santa cruz county lasts over two years. The agency served 112 youths in mentoring matches with carefully screened adult mentors. Big brothers big sisters of santa cruz county also has an after-school enrichment and mentoring program, which is held at two sites in watsonville. Volunteers serve as tutors and mentors to participating youth, most of whom are struggling due tolanguage barriers. The program offers tutoring and guest speakers while addressingsuch issues as drug/alcohol prevention, gang prevention, conflict resolution, careerchoices, cultural awareness and healthy lifestyle choices. Last year, the agencyenrolled 157 children in the after-school program. Big brothers big sisters of santa cruz county conducts ongoing outcome evaluation ofits programs. Recent outcome evaluation of surveyed parents in the one-to-one program found a 94% improvement in participating children's self-confidence; a 77%improvement in youth's ability to avoid delinquency; and a 77% improvement in thechildren's attitude toward school. Results from a recent evaluation of children andparents in the enrichment and mentoring program found that 71% percent of the youthbelieved that their interest in school had improved, while 79% of surveyed parentssaw an improvement in their children's school grades. Big brothers big sisters strives to find a place for all who want to be a part of the solution, whether as mentors, board members, tutors, special event fundraisers, or office volunteers. Last fiscal year, 130 volunteers channeled their efforts to help big brothers big sisters achieve its goals and objectives (this does not count the over 600 volunteers who participated in agency fundraisers). Big brothers big sisters of santa cruz county's organizational efficiency is key to its programmatic success. Big brothers big sisters of santa cruz county successfully increases the options and opportunities available to at-risk children. Due to the agency's mentoring services, youth are less likely to participate in at-risk behaviors, are far more likely to have positive peer and family relations, and are more likely to make healthy life choices that will lead to productive futures.