BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE CENTRAL GULF COAST INC

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE CENTRAL GULF COAST IS THE LOCAL LEADER IN QUALITY YOUTH MENTORING SERVICES. WE HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE FOR AND ARE ABLE TO MEASURE SPECIFIC YOUTH OUTCOMES THAT INDICATE THAT WHEN MATCHED WITH A BIG, OUR LITTLES ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN SCHOOL, ARE BETTER ABLE TO AVOID RISKY BEHAVIORS SUCH AS GETTING INTO FIGHTS AND TRYING DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, AND IMPROVE THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. OUR PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN AGES 6 TO 18 IN MOBILE, BALDWIN, WASHINGTON, CLARKE, ESCAMBIA, AND MONROE COUNTIES IN ALABAMA. THE PROGRAM ALSO SERVES CHILDREN AGES 6 TO 18 IN JACKSON, HARRISON, AND HANCOCK COUNTIES IN MISSISSIPPI. ONCE A MATCH IS CREATED BETWEEN A BIG AND A LITTLE, OUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDES ONGOING PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTFOR THE DURATION OF THEIR MATCH OR UNTIL THE LITTLE TURNS 18 OR GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL. OUR MATCHES SERVED DURING OUR SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAM FOR 2023 RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES: - 79% OF LITTLES KEPT OR CREATED PLANS FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND BEYOND. - 80% OF LITTLES STAYED ON TRACK WITH OR IMPROVED THEIR GRADES. - 85% OF LITTLES CONTINUED OR ENGAGED IN VOLUNTERRISM OR PARTICIPATED IN AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES. - 77% OF LITTLES KEPT A STRONG OR INCREASED SENSE OF FAMILY CONNECTEDNESS. - 91% OF LITTLES REPORTED A STRONG OR INCREASING LEVEL OF SOCIAL COMPETENCE. - 79% OF LITTLES HAVE OR DEVELOPED SPARKS, ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM AND HAVE AN IMPORTANT ADULT TO HELP THEM DEVELOP. DURING THE YEAR,CHILDREN MATCHED WITH A MENTOR FOR ONE YEAR IN OUR COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES: - 100% OF LITTLES KEPT OR CREATED PLANS FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND BEYOND. - 85% OF LITTLES STAYED ON TRACK WITH OR IMPROVED THEIR GRADES. - 74% OF LITTLES CONTINUED OR ENGAGED IN VOLUNTERRISM OR PARTICIPATED IN AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES. - 78% OF LITTLES KEPT A STRONG OR INCREASED SENSE OF FAMILY CONNECTEDNESS. - 85% OF LITTLES REPORTED A STRONG OR INCREASING LEVEL OF SOCIAL COMPETENCE. - 91% OF LITTLES HAVE OR DEVELOPED SPARKS, ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM AND HAVE AN IMPORTANT ADULT TO HELP THEM DEVELOP. OUR "LITTLES" HAVE MANY CHALLENGES TO OVERCOME, INCLUDING POVERTY, NEGATIVE INFLUENCES FROM PEERS, AND POOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE CENTRAL GULF COAST HELPS THE CHILDREN WE SERVE OVERCOME THESE OBSTACLES BY PROVIDING A THOROUGHLY SCREENED AND TRAINED, CARING ADULT TO SERVE AS A "BIG" BROTHER OR "BIG" SISTER, WHO SERVES AS A MENTOR, GUIDE AND FRIEND SO THAT THE CHILD CAN HAVE SOMEONE THAT THEY CAN SHARE NEW EXPERIENCES WITH, CONFIDE IN, AND RECEIVE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FROM. OUR SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT NO COST TO OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST VULNERABLE FAMILIES. THOSE THAT INVEST IN OUR MISSION ENABLE US TO CONDUCT BACKGROUND CHECKS ON VOLUNTEERS TO ENSURE CHILD SAFETY, AND PROVIDE ONGOING PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD AND SUSTAIN LONG-LASTING RELATIONSHIPS; A KEY TO SUCCESSFUL MENTORING.