Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota

Big Brothers Big Sisters' vision is for all children to achieve success in life. The impact mentoring has on our clients and this community is immediate and long lasting. Statistics have shown that children exhibiting a lack of self-confidence, a lack of competence and/or a lack of caring can lead to negative outcomes such as: delinquency, substance abuse, early parenting and trouble with Law Enforcement. Mentored youth demonstrate increased self-confidence, competence and caring; which assists them in becoming healthy productive adults in our communities. It is expected that our Littles will avoid more negative factors and enhance more positive factors in their lives by being matched in our program. A national study showed Littles are:
• 33% less likely to use violence as a solution to conflict
• 52% less likely to skip school
• 46% less likely to use drugs
• 27% less likely to use alcohol
• 36% less likely to commit crimes
• 65% more likely to graduate high school
• 76% more likely to secure and maintain employment

Our strategy for helping all children achieve success starts in our enrollment department. All volunteer Bigs are screened by our professional enrollment staff to ensure the client's (Little's) safety. All BBBS program staff are required to have a 4 year degree in social work, psychology, human services, or a related field. The volunteer screening process includes an extensive in-person interview, local and national background checks, DMV check, reference checks and an auto insurance verification.
All client Littles are also screened by our professional enrollment staff. The Little's screening process includes an in-person interview with both the child and parent/guardian. Both the Big and Little receive training materials on internet safety, personal safety and sexual abuse prevention.
Bigs and Littles are then matched based on compatibility, preferences and their interview profiles. This ensures the Big and Little are compatible and can build a long and strong friendship. Once the Big and Little are matched, a Match Support Specialist provides ongoing support to child, family and volunteer for the life of the match. The Match Support Specialist supports the match relationship by determining individual goals and monitoring expectations of the match. The quality supervision of the match is provided through monthly contacts with the Big, Little, and the Little's parents/guardian to address child safety, monitor development, ensure that the expectations of the match are being met and match goals are reached.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a very goal oriented agency. We use surveys of our Littles, Littles' families and volunteers to make sure our goals and the children's goals are being met. The YOS is completed by the Littles themselves and measures their progress in the areas of scholastic competence, academic performance, educational expectations, social acceptance, attitudes toward risk and parental trust. The SOR survey is used to effectively track match progress and increase the probability that the match can be retained and individual outcomes achieved. Research clearly shows that the longer and stronger the mentoring relationship, the better our children fare.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has served more children than projected in the past years. Not only have we matched these children but provided them with exceptional service and opportunities. In 2016, we projected to serve 493 children and we served 529. In 2017, we projected to serve 547 children and we served 594. Our service metrics are also above the standard set by BBBS of America. In 2014 and 2016, we were award the Gold Standard Award of Excellence from BBBS of America, and in 2016 we were one of the top three small-mid BBBS agencies.