At Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert, mentoring is not about “saving” a child; it’s about empowering and igniting the potential that is already inherent in them. The Coachella Valley based program helps change kids’ futures by connecting a champion, a “Big”, alongside to help guide them. Through this one-to-one mentoring friendship, kids can advance towards their full capabilities because they have someone there to edify them.
BBBS of the Desert was established in 1997 and serves youth between the ages of 6 and 18 in two core programs. Children can enroll in the program between the ages of 6 – 14 and may remain in the program until they turn 18 or graduate from High School.
COMMUNITY BASED MENTORING
Adult mentors are paired with children who see each other 4 – 8 hours per month for a minimum of one year. Each match is hand-selected by a team based on geography, compatibility and personality. ‘Bigs’ and ‘Littles’ plan their own outings. Some of the popular activities include:
- Going to a sports game
- Going to the movies
- Going to the mall
- Going on a bike ride
- Exploring the local hiking trails, Indian Canyons and National Parks
- Exploring an art museum
SITE-BASED MENTORING
Qualified high school students and adult volunteers serve as mentors to elementary school ‘Littles’. In this one-to-one mentoring program participants meet once a week at one of the Boys & Girls Clubs with which they are a partner. Current participating programs include the clubs in La Quinta, Indio, Coachella, Mecca and Cathedral City. A BBBS staff facilitates this program and has a curriculum designed specifically for this peer-to-peer age group. Topics include academic achievement, bullying, self-esteem and relationship building blocks.
LITTLES 2 COLLEGE PROGRAM
The Littles 2 College Program provides enrolled ‘Littles’ with the tools and resources needed to stay on track toward on-time high school graduation and college readiness. This includes campus visits, admissions and financial aid support, career exploration, assistance in completing college applications, FAFSA, and scholarship opportunities. For those ‘Littles’ who aren’t college bound, the program provides information on military options, Job Corps, AmeriCorps and Peace Corps as well as trade schools.
THE IMPACT
BBBS’ one-to-one youth mentoring has been shown to have a significant and positive impact on the lives of children.
46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
27% less likely to begin using alcohol
52% less likely to skip school
‘Bigs’ share that being a mentor has changed their lives through the development of a lifelong friendship with their ‘Little’.
Families indicate that having a mentor for their child improves their family life.
BECOME A MENTOR
BBBS of the Desert makes your enrollment streamlined and simple.
- Complete an application
- Provide three references
- Participate in an in-person interview
- Have a background check performed (adult volunteers only)
- Attend orientation/training
CHILD SAFETY
BBBS conducts a thorough background check on every volunteer and monitors every match. The well-being of the children is their highest priority. Each volunteer must complete a thorough screening process that includes:
- Completion of a formal written application
- A criminal history record check
- At least two references
- An in-person interview
- An assessment of their home environment (for community-based mentoring)
- A professional assessment of their appropriateness to volunteer with a child
- An orientation and training process that outlines the individualized needs of the child and provides resources on how to encourage the child’s healthy development
TO DONATE:
Your donation is fully tax deductible. Non-profit tax I.D. number is 33-0683335.
Contact BBBS of the Desert at:
42-600 Cook Street, Suite 110
Palm Desert, CA 92211
Phone: (760) 568-3977
bbbsdesert.org
Email: info@bbbsdesert.org
