"The program is amazing.  I have three children with Bigs
in my classroom and they truly beam when their Big comes
in the room. They look forward to this special time all week."
- Sitka elementary school teacher

Site-Based Mentoring Programs are an innovative approach created by Big Brothers Big Sisters to reach a more diverse population of children. The program is designed to foster youth's academic development as well as improve social skills. The Volunteer meets with the student on the school or youth center campus, once a week during school hours, for a minimum of one year. It is our goal that through academic support, positive role modeling, and a one-to-one friendship, students will succeed.

The essence of creating strong mentor-student matches is the careful selection, training and support of volunteers. Applicant processing includes a Alaska state criminal background check, two written references, and an in-person interview.

Who are the Volunteers?
Site-Based mentors vary in age, gender, professions and interests. One quality all mentors share is the desire to offer academic and emotional support, guidance, consistency, and friendship. Through a mentor's encouragement, a student can achieve his/her potential.

Who are the Youth?
Littles come to the BBBS program for all kinds of reasons. Maybe they come from single parent homes or have two working parents, maybe they are falling into bad patterns at school, maybe they are the only boy in a house with three sisters. What they all share in common is the need for friendship with a caring adult. Each child needs a positive role model to impact his or her life, and that role model can be you.

addition, BBBS partners with the Division of Juvenile Justice to provide an additional Site-Based opportunity.  Through this program volunteers are matched with youth placed in residential facilities around the state.

Whatever the circumstances, these children need an adult who is caring, consistent, knows how to listen and can be a good role model.

How do the children benefit?
Children in the Site-Based Mentoring Program develop more positive attitudes toward school, achieve higher grades and improve their relationships with both adults and their peers. Mentors support, take an active interest in, give encouragement to, and help boost self-confidence in the student.

How do the Volunteers benefit?
Site-Based mentors have the opportunity to watch a child become happier and more successful academically and socially. Most importantly, they develop a fun and lasting friendship.

Mentoring DOES make a difference
Students involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters' School-Based program were assessed by teachers, parents and volunteers for two consecutive school years. The results were very encouraging. They:

• developed more positive attitudes toward school
• achieved higher grades in math, social studies and languages
• experienced improved relationships with adults
• experienced improved relationships with peers
• were better able to express feelings
• developed increased self-confidence
• were more likely to trust their teacher

If you or your company are interested in finding out more about our Site-Based Programs, or would like more information about signing your child up to become a Little Brother or Little Sister, please visit your communities local page.

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