BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SOUTHERN NEVADA

The Community Based program is the more traditional mentoring program of BBBSN. Carefully screened and trained mentors are matched with children in the community who can benefit from an additional caring and positive adult in their life. Over 90% of these children and youth are being raised in a single parent household or, by grandparents - a growing population. These friend matches engage in activities in the community and on a schedule arranged between the Big, Little and parent or guardian. Matches meet several times a month, doing activities in the community that the Big and Little enjoy. We strive to support these matches so they stay together for years, or for life. Special populations who we are targeting based on high need include children involved in the foster care system and juvenile justice involved youth. Research indicates that these youth are at high risk of challenges and need additional adult support in their lives.

BBBSN's Site Based Mentoring program works directly in schools, with school principals, counselors and teachers to enhance a child's ability to learn, interact with their peers and reduce questionable behavior and negative influences. Typically, the youth are ages six to 10, and are from low income and at-risk environments. We partner closely with eight elementary school sites within the Clark County School District. The Site Based Mentors are caring adults and high school students from the community who go through rigorous background checks and training prior to being matched. Program staff from BBBSN are continuously and actively involved in every mentoring experience. Staff provide liaison with the school, support for mentors and families. BBBSN also has site based programs at East Las Vegas Community Center during after school hours. Site meetings are scheduled Monday through Friday between 1:00 and 6:00 PM. All matches at a site meet together on the same day and time for one hour per week. We ask for a minimum of a one year commitment to the program. The Bigs become very important in the life of their Littles and consistency in a long lived relationship is critical.