Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Bath Brunswick

Programs: The community-based mentoring program serves youth facing adversity ages 6 -18, primarily from single parent female-headed households by providing one to one mentoring relationships with carefully screened and trained adult volunteers. "bigs" spend at least 8-12 hours per month with their "littles", and commit at least one year to developing a relationship. Big/little matches are carefully administered. Professional staff provides ongoing support and supervision to every big, little, and little's family. On an annual basis, 80% of the matches exceed their one year anniversary. These relationships encourage children to build higher aspirations, greater confidence, stronger community connections, educational success, and avoidance of risky behaviors; changing children's lives and transforming their potential for the future.

in our school-based mentoring program adult, college, or high school aged "bigs" meet with their "littles" typically for one hour on the same day once per week. Activities include playing games, helping with homework, and talking and sharing hobbies and interests. For volunteers there is a minimum of one school-year commitment, and there is no contact with the child outside of school. Programs take place at thirteen area schools and serve approximately 125-150 youth, a comparable number of volunteers are also supported. Professional staff work with school partners to develop site specific programs; provide interviews, reference checks, screening and training of volunteers, and maintaining regular contact with school administration, bigs, littles, and parents to offer advice and adress issues/concerns as needed. School-based mentoring programs allow bbbs of bath/brunswick to expand the scope of our services by eliminating transportation challenges and reaching a greater number of volunteers.

other site based programs - bbbs partners with bowdoin college, city of bath police department and the bath area ymca to provide mentoring to children ages 6-14. Approximately 55 children were supported.