We are here to start something!
Big Brothers Big Sisters is not your typical organization. We help children realize their potential and build their futures. We nurture children and strengthen communities. And we couldn’t do any of it without you.
MEASURING OUR IMPACT
The Big Brothers Big Sisters Match
One-to-one matches between Bigs and Littles truly empower youth and strengthen communities. Professional staff from Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully build and support each match, and ensure it meets the strictest standards. Agencies strive for matches that are not only safe and well suited to each child’s needs, but also harmonious and built to last. The entire matching process, from the initial screening to the final pairing—and beyond—is made possible by your financial support.
But don’t just think of us as simply matchmakers. We provide ongoing support and supervision to the Big, the Little, and the Little’s family. We offer training and advice to help ensure that the match is working for everyone involved. And our local agencies even receive their own ongoing training and consulting from the Big Brothers Big Sisters National Office. This web of support helps maximize the likelihood that a Big Brothers Big Sisters relationship will thrive.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the country’s largest evidence-based mentoring organization. We are committed to continuously evaluating and improving the quality of the services we provide to youth. We evaluate our programming at the match level, agency level, and national level. Our annual impact report provides an overview of our outcomes evaluation system, tools, and the most recent national data and trends.
To view the 2021 BBBSA Annual Impact Report, click here.
Continuous Learning
Big Brothers Big Sisters believes that it must hold itself accountable to the families, children, and mentors enrolled in our program. We must hold ourselves accountable to the donors, partners, and advocates who fund our work. That is why a commitment to continuous learning, improvement, and research is at the heart of what we do.
Continuous learning through technology
Our commitment to measurement, analysis, and improvement is so core to who we are that we have developed a unique, proprietary method of tracking the interactions between Bigs and Littles. Known as the Agency Information Management system (or AIM), this performance management tool helps guide the decisions of our network of professionally trained staff members. Built to support Big Brothers Big Sisters, AIM provides the intelligence and data to continually improve our services to children.
Continuous learning through partnerships
Through the generous support of corporations, foundations, and donations, Big Brothers Big Sisters regularly participates in nationwide or local research opportunities.
Research About Big Brothers Big Sisters Programs
Impact on Self-Confidence
One-on-one attention from a caring adult role model is a key part of developing self-confidence, and research shows that Bigs help Littles feel more confident in several areas.
Research on Big Brothers Big Sisters
Research shows that our one-to-one mentoring programs have real outcomes for children.
Impact on Education
Evidence shows that being matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters can make a big difference in how a child performs in school and how he or she feels about school in general.
Impact on Juvenile Justice
Many children get swept up into what their peers are doing, but research shows that having another caring adult on their side helps Littles make good decisions and avoid risky behaviors.