Big Brother Big Sisters (Butler County)

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is the oldest, largest, and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. BBBS of Butler County is the only evidence-based mentoring program in Butler County. Our model is rated as an exemplary prevention program through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and is rated a Best Practice by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. In 2018, we served 672 youth and supported 481 mentoring relationships. National data and local outcomes demonstrate that children who are matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister improve their academic performance, are less likely to abuse alcohol and drugs, and have more positive relationships with family members and peers. BBBS of Butler County is proud to create and support mentoring relationships that change the lives of children for the better, forever.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships between adult mentors ("Bigs") and children aged 6 to 14 ("Littles"). Bigs are carefully screened, and Bigs and Littles are carefully matched based in part on location, shared interests, personality, and cultural background. Once matched, Bigs and Littles meet in one or both of the following types of arrangements:

In our Community-Based Program, Bigs and Littles meet 2 to 4 times per month, for a couple of hours at a time, working on the Little's goals and engaging in activities they both enjoy. Bigs are adult community members.

In our Site-Based Program, Bigs and Littles meet once per week for 90 minutes after school in one of 13 participating elementary schools. They work on academic goals together, and then engage in an activity facilitated by a BBBS staff member. Bigs in the Site-Based Program can be adults, college students, or high school students.

For both the Community-Based and Site-Based programs, Bigs are asked to commit to at least one year of service, and they receive ongoing support and coaching from BBBS staff. Children who have enrolled as Littles but have not yet been matched with a mentor can participate in C.O.U.L. (Club of Unmatched Littles), where they engage in free and fun activities coordinated by BBBS staff.