Children today face many challenges and obstacles. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters for the past 100 years has been to provide opportunities for children to overcome these challenges and obstacles.  We do this by matching adults with children in one-to-one mentoring relationships. These matches spend time together on a consistent basis, which provides stability for the child.  Youth development experts agree that, in addition to their parents, children need additional supportive, caring adults in their lives.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Coast was established in 1969.  With generous contributions from the community, we are able to offer our mentoring services at no-cost to local families and we prove, year after year, that mentoring really works.

According to an independent national study of our program, children and youth that meet regularly with their Big Brother or Big Sister are:
*52% less likely to skip school
*46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
*37% less likely to skip a class
*27% less likely to begin using alcohol
*33% less likely to engage in violent behavior

The impact of mentoring lasts well beyond childhood.  A study of 200 former Littles, who had been matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister for at least one year and are now adults over 25 years of age, determined the following results:
*While 57% of former Littles came from welfare homes, their average current personal income is $32,143 with only 3.8% currently unemployed.
*Average level of higher education: one year of college.
*While most came from single parent homes, only 18% had been divorced themselves.
*94% rated their Big Brother or Big Sister as helpful with nearly half still in touch with their former Big.