Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In 2014, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities served 2,055 youth mentored through BBBS-supported mentoring relationships, and served a total of 2,320 through all of its programming, including youth who received individual coaching and leadership services as mentors to younger youth, and youth not in an active mentoring relationship who were served through BBBS’ college and career readiness and health and wellness programs. We served a total of 555 of these youth through our college and career readiness and teen health/wellness programming. The average length of the mentoring relationships we served in 2014 was 41 months for community-based matches and 18 months for site-based matches.
Of those youth mentored in BBBS’ programs in 2014 for at least a year, the following growth was demonstrated in 2014:
• 94% improved or maintained their level of scholastic competence
• 81% improved or maintained their grades
• 89% improved or maintained their attitudes toward risky behaviors
• 92% improved or maintained their view that they had a special adult in their lives, which is a critical protective factor for positive youth development.
Current Goals
BBBS provides services to youth in the Greater Twin Cities through its mentoring initiatives, with support through college and career readiness and related educational and enrichment programming. BBBS’ programs are designed with the goal of helping children develop the following three outcomes:
• Educational Success, as measured through social acceptance, scholastic competence, educational expectations, and grades; correlates to improved school engagement, academic achievement, college readiness, and increased likelihood of high school and college graduation.
• Avoidance/Reduction of Risk Behaviors, as measured through attitudes toward risky behaviors; correlates to a reduction of risky behavior and decreased likelihood of delinquency.
• Socio-Emotional Competency, as measured through social acceptance, parental trust, and special adult relationship; correlates to a reduction of risky behavior and violence, improved academic achievement, and a higher likelihood of high school and college graduation.
In 2015, BBBS expects to serve at least 2,425 youth, including at least 2,075 youth mentees. Further, we will serve 450 youth through our college and career readiness and health/wellness and related enrichment services that are offered to youth mentors, alumni Littles, and other youth participants who are not enrolled in the mentoring program.
After being mentored for at least a year, youth are expected to show the following outcomes:
• 75% of youth will improve or maintain their level of educational success in one or more areas
• 75% of youth will avoid risk/reduce risky behaviors
• 80% of youth will improve or maintain their level of socio-emotional competency
Community or Constituency Served
BBBS provides mentoring and enrichment programming to children between the ages of 8 and 18 who are facing adversity. Of the children served in 2014, 83% identified as children of color, 76% did not live with both of their parents, 84% came from low-income households, and 19% had an incarcerated parent or family member.
Geographic Area Served
BBBS serves the Minnesota counties of Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, northern Dakota, and southern Washington.
