Our Impact
A mentor holds aspirations, provides friendship, and supports positive youth development “one child at a time.”
Today’s youth in Central California are subject to social pressures that can result in:
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- School drop-outs and low educational attainment
- Teen pregnancy
- Gang participation
Mentoring provides protective factors that can help youth avoid getting caught up in these social epidemics. National research shows that Big Brothers Big Sisters youth mentored as compared to peers were:
- 52% less likely to skip school
- 58% get higher grades
- 46% less likely to begin using drugs
- 27% less likely to use alcohol
- 56% improved relationships with peers
Local annual evaluations of our Littles in 2009 show:
- 80% improved classroom behavior
- 78% improved in academic performance
- 81% improved relationships with peers
- 90% experienced a boost in self-confidence
Mentoring is cost effective. About $1,400 a year supports a match (not including fundraising costs). This compares to $30,000 for a youth in in-patient drug or alcohol treatment or as much as $80,000 for a teen in the California Youth Authority.
A 2009 national study by Harris Interactive shows that of 200 Adult Little Brothers and Sisters surveyed:
- 90% agreed that their Big made them feel better about themselves
- 81% said their Big helped to change their perspective of what they thought possible
- 65% felt that their Big helped them to reach a higher level of education than they thought possible
- 84% stated that their Big taught them the importance of helping others
To see the full study, click here or view the brochure here.
Mentoring works. Transforming a community one child at a time.
