Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County, Inc.

In the STEM School Mentoring program, students in grades K-12th are matched with volunteers who are recruited through partnerships with local companies. These companies encourage their employees to give back to the community they work in by serving as Bigs, and allow them the flexibility to meet with their Littles weekly, at a local school partner. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County provides a bin filled with STEM-focused games & activities for the matches to use, to help build the students' interest and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
These mentors provide supplemental academic support, guidance and friendship to students who are struggling academically, emotionally or socially. The matches meet weekly at the school, during the students' lunch, recess or study periods, throughout the school year. The Bigs help build their Littles' interest and skills in the STEM fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, explore their Littles' creativity and imagination, and offer the Littles a judgment-free zone in which they can share their feelings, and their goals for their future.

In our High School Bigs program, outstanding trained high school students serve as Big Brothers or Sisters to elementary school students in their school district. Bigs and Littles meet at the elementary school.
High school students receive leadership & youth development education, and experience the value of community service. The younger students benefit from having role models who are willing to talk, listen and engage them in activities, in a supervised setting.
The mentors provide supplemental academic support, guidance and friendship to students who are struggling academically, emotionally or socially.
The matches meet weekly, throughout the school year. The Bigs assist their Littles with school work, explore their Littles' creativity and imagination through arts and crafts, and offer the Littles a judgment-free zone in which they can share their feelings and their goals for their future.

The BLAST (Bigs & Littles Autism Support Team) program matches specially-trained, caring high school students two-to-one as mentors to elementary students from their district with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, to work on three primary goals: improved social communication & interaction, greater flexibility regarding interests & transitions, and higher self-esteem.
The BLAST program helps the students with ASD overcome obstacles by providing them with professionally-supported mentoring relationships. The "Littles" gain self-confidence while also developing their social, communication and interaction skills.
However, this program also benefits the High School Bigs. They gain a comprehensive understanding of ASD through the training, develop greater awareness of and empathy for individuals with ASD, and enhance their leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Some of these Bigs have an interest in working with this population as part of their long-term educational and career goals.
This program has acheived significant results, and very positive feedback, from everyone involved!

The Options Program is unique to our agency.
Specially-trained Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County staff members support youth referred by Bucks County Juvenile Court as well as Bucks County's Children and Youth agency. This community-based program is especially designed to reduce recidivism and institutional placements of youth.
Each youth meets biweekly with an assigned staff caseworker, who provides professional guidance, advocacy and support.
The caseworkers help their clients with completing community service hours, when needed, and with creating positive goals for their future.