Who We Are
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Florida is a non-profit organization that has been serving children and youth since 1904. Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. We believe that every child has the potential to succeed and thrive in life, and we are committed to helping them achieve their full potential.
What We Do
Our organization matches children and youth with caring, adult mentors who provide guidance, support, and friendship. We offer a variety of programs and services that are designed to meet the unique needs of each child and family we serve. Our programs include community-based mentoring, school-based mentoring, and virtual mentoring. We also provide support and resources to our mentors to help them build strong relationships with their mentees.
Impact
Our organization has a proven track record of making a positive impact on the lives of children and youth. According to a study conducted by Public/Private Ventures, children who participate in our mentoring programs are:
– 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
– 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
– 52% less likely to skip school
– 37% less likely to skip a class
– 33% less likely to hit someone
Giving
Your support can make a big difference in the lives of children and youth in Florida. There are many ways to give to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Florida, including:
– Making a donation
– Becoming a mentor
– Volunteering your time
– Participating in fundraising events
Grants
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Florida receives funding from a variety of sources, including government grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations. We are grateful for the support of our funders, which allows us to continue providing our programs and services to children and youth in need.
Research
We are committed to using research and data to inform our programs and services. We conduct ongoing research to evaluate the effectiveness of our mentoring programs and to identify areas for improvement. We also collaborate with other organizations and researchers to advance the field of mentoring.
Programs & Services
Our organization offers a variety of programs and services to meet the unique needs of each child and family we serve. Our programs include:
– Community-based mentoring
– School-based mentoring
– Virtual mentoring
– Mentoring for children of military families
– Mentoring for children with incarcerated parents
– Mentoring for children with disabilities
Careers & Volunteer
We are always looking for dedicated individuals who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and youth. We offer a variety of career and volunteer opportunities, including:
– Mentoring
– Program management
– Fundraising
– Marketing and communications
– Administration
Funded Partners
We partner with a variety of organizations and agencies to provide our programs and services to children and youth in need. Our funded partners include:
– United Way
– Boys & Girls Clubs
– YMCA
– Department of Juvenile Justice
– Department of Children and Families
Training & Certification
We provide training and certification for our mentors to ensure that they are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to build strong relationships with their mentees. Our training includes:
– Child safety training
– Relationship building skills
– Cultural competency training
– Trauma-informed care
Contact Information
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Florida, please contact us at:
– Phone: 1-800-483-5503
– Email: [email protected]
– Address: 928 South Harbor City Boulevard, Suite 201, Melbourne, FL 32901
FAQ
– Q: What is the age range for mentees?
– A: Our programs serve children and youth between the ages of 6 and 18.
– Q: How long does a mentoring relationship last?
– A: Our mentoring relationships are designed to last at least one year, but many of our matches continue for several years.
– Q: How are mentors and mentees matched?
– A: We use a variety of factors to match mentors and mentees, including interests, personality, and location.
Web Links
– Donate
– Events
– About Us