Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County

The community-based mentoring program is facilitated through 1:1 mentoring matches for youth aged 7-21. Bigs and littles meet in the community two to four times per month and participate in activities of mutual interest. Volunteers make at least a one-year commitment and receive specialized training to best support youth. Matches receive ongoing case management support by bbbs staff to encourage strong, impactful, long-lasting relationships. We utilize our proven mentoring model to target youth who are struggling and who show the most promise to positively responding to a mentoring relationship. Currently, these target groups include: - students who are experiencing difficulties at school (trouble academically, problems with peers, being bullied, behavioral problems) - youth with a background of trauma and abuse - youth exposed to - or disproportionately affected by violence - culturally competent initiatives to work with specific ethnic groups, including chaldean refugee children through "ayana and latinx children through "hermandad" - as San Diego has the highest concentration of u.s. military nationwide, we work with hundreds of children and teens who have active-duty military parent(s) through "operation bigs", for youth with a parent who is active duty military, veteran or gold star.

Bbbs San Diego also provides mentoring enhancement opportunities to ensure enrolled youth reach their full potential. - bbbs San Diego and its strategic partners provide college and workforce preparation workshops, coaching, and resources to all teenage littles, through its Big futures initiative. The goal is to prepare and support post-high school littles (graduate littles) to and through their post- secondary years in one of three paths, which we call the three e's: 1. Enrolling in college/trade school 2. Enlisting in the military 3. Employment - bbbs San Diego encourages and provides physical and mental well-being enrichment activities and workshops open to all bbbs San Diego youth and mentors, through its healthy futures initiative. This includes no-cost workshops on health, behavior and resilience topics, group physical activities, support and improved access to resources in conjunction with community partnerships. All bbbs of sdc program staff are mental health first aid trained and practice a trauma-informed care approach.bbbs San Diego mentoring programs have proven, long-term positive outcomes for youth including improved self-esteem and peer relationships, better grades, and less risk-taking behavior such as drug/alcohol use and truancy. Mentors give youth the confidence and support they need to set and achieve higher goals, make positive life choices, and have brighter futures.