Big Brothers-Big Sisters Of Central Minnesota Inc

CREATE AND SUPPORT ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS THAT IGNITE THE POWER AND PROMISE OF YOUTH.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA IS A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT BELIEVES THAT INHERENT IN EVERY CHILD IS THE ABILITY TO SUCCEED AND THRIVE IN LIFE. FOR 54 YEARS, WE HAVE PROVIDED CHILDREN FACING ADVERSITY WITH STRONG AND ENDURING, PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED ONE-TOONE RELATIONSHIPS THAT CHANGE THEIR LIVES FOR THE BETTER, FOREVER.BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS MAKES MEANINGFUL, MONITORED MATCHES BETWEEN VOLUNTEERS ("BIGS") AND CHILDREN ("LITTLES"), AGES 5 THROUGH 21. WE DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE A DIRECT AND LASTING EFFECT ON THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE. WE HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE FOR EACH CHILD IN OUR PROGRAM ACHIEVING: HIGHER ASPIRATIONS, GREATER CONFIDENCE, AND BETTER RELATIONSHIPS, AVOIDANCE OF RISKY BEHAVIORS, AND EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS.THE BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS YOUTH OUTCOMES SUMMARY SUBSTANTIATES THAT ITS MENTORING PROGRAMS HAVE PROVEN POSITIVE ACADEMIC, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOR OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH, AND IS LINKED TO LONG-TERM OUTCOMES SUCH AS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, AVOIDANCE OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, AND COLLEGE OR JOB READINESS.BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA SERVES FIVE COUNTIES: STEARNS, BENTON, SHERBURNE, MORRISON, AND THE NORTHERN TIER OF WRIGHT COUNTY. WE TARGET THE YOUTH THAT NEED US MOST INCLUDING THOSE LIVING IN SINGLE PARENT HOMES, GROWING UP IN POVERTY (68% OF THE CHILDREN WE SERVE ARE FROM HOUSEHOLDS BELOW 200% OF FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES), DEALING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS, AND COPING WITH PARENTAL INCARCERATION. IN ADDITION, MANY OF THE CHILDREN IN OUR PROGRAM HAVE A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, HAVE BEEN BULLIED, AND/OR STRUGGLE ACADEMICALLY OR SOCIALLY. DURING OUR PAST FISCAL YEAR, WE PROVIDED SERVICES TO 767 CHILDREN.WE ENGAGED 184 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO SERVE AS HIGH SCHOOL BIGS, AND PROVIDED THEM WITH GUIDANCE, TRAINING, AND RESOURCES. IN ADDITION TO THE POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR MENTEES/LITTLES, THE LIVES OF THOSE SERVING AS HIGH SCHOOL MENTORS ARE CHANGED AS WELL. THEY LEARN RESPONSIBILITY, PATIENCE, AND HOW TO SERVE AS GOOD ROLE MODELS.CHILD SAFETY IS OUR GREATEST PRIORITY. OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF HAVE FOUR-YEAR DEGREES IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL SERVICES. OUR EXTENSIVE VOLUNTEER SCREENING PROCESS ENSURES SAFE AND COMPATIBLE MATCHES FOR THE CHILDREN WE SERVE. WE ARE GUIDED BY OUR NATIONAL OFFICE FOR INCREASED SAFETY MEASURES.THE YOUTH (LITTLES) AND MENTORS (BIGS) IN OUR PROGRAM ARE CAREFULLY MATCHED ONLY AFTER THE BIGS HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY SCREENED AND TRAINED, AND THE LITTLES STRENGTHS, NEEDS, VULNERABILITIES, AND INTERESTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND ADDRESSED. THROUGH OUR CAREFUL, PROFESSIONAL MATCHING, WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THESE ONE-TO-ONE RELATIONSHIPS WILL BE LIFE-CHANGING AND WILL GIVE OUR LITTLES NEW OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY DID NOT HAVE. OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF, ALONG WITH OUR LITTLES AND THEIR PARENT/TEACHER/GUARDIAN IDENTIFY UNIQUE GOALS FOR EACH CHILD THAT THEIR BIG CAN HELP THEM ACCOMPLISH. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT EACH CHILD'S ONE-TO-ONE RELATIONSHIP WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT THEIR LIVES BY STARTING THEM DOWN A PATH TO AN EVEN BRIGHTER, MORE PROMISING FUTURE. BY SERVING AS A MENTOR, ROLE MODEL, AND FRIEND, BIGS POSITIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO THE CHILD'S SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA OFFERS TWO DISTINCT PROGRAM OPTIONS: COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING: CHILDREN ARE MATCHED WITH A BIG BROTHER, BIG SISTER, BIG DUO OR BIG FAMILY AND MEET WITH THEM 2-3 TIMES A MONTH FOR AT LEAST 2 HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY. BIGS ARE ABLE TO TRANSPORT THEIR LITTLES AND ATTEND EVENTS, GO SHOPPING, GO OUT TO EAT, SPEND TIME AT THE VOLUNTEER'S HOME, OR DO OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT THEY BOTH ENJOY.SITE-BASED MENTORING: CHILDREN MEET WITH THEIR MENTOR AT A PUBLIC SITE, SUCH AS A CLUB OR SCHOOL GROUNDS, FOR ABOUT AN HOUR EACH WEEK. SITE-BASED MATCHES ENJOY PLAYING BOARD GAMES, DOING ARTS & CRAFTS, REVIEWING HOMEWORK, OR JUST TALKING. SITE-BASED MENTORING ALLOWS US TO SERVE A FAR GREATER NUMBER OF YOUTH FACING ADVERSITY WITH A GREATLY INCREASED POOL OF POTENTIAL MENTORS DUE TO A MORE ADAPTABLE TIME COMMITMENT AND A CONVENIENT MEETING SITE. THE SITE-BASED PROGRAM OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO BE MENTORS AND IS SUPPORTED BY BUSINESS PARTICIPANTS. OUR AWARD-WINNING DR. POTTER BIGS ON CAMPUS MENTORING INITIATIVE IS A SITE-BASED PROGRAM THAT BRINGS YOUTH TO THE ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS TWICE MONTHLY, WHERE THEY MEET ONE-TO-ONE WITH THEIR MENTORS AND SPEND THEIR TIME TOGETHER EXPLORING CAMPUS, ATTENDING CAMPUS EVENTS, PARTICIPATING IN ON-CAMPUS RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND TOURING ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS. DURING THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR, WE EXPANDED OUR BIGS ON CAMPUS PROGRAM TO THE COLLEGE OF SAINT BENEDICT AND ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY.BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS' MENTORING PROGRAM ENSURES VULNERABLE YOUTH HAVE THE RELATIONSHIPS, EXPERIENCES, SUPPORT, AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO HELP THEM BUILD TRUST, LEARN HOW TO MAKE AND MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIPS, GROW THEIR CONFIDENCE, ENHANCE THEIR SCHOOL PERFORMANCE/EXPERIENCE, AND HELP ENSURE THAT THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND DEVELOP INTO HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE ADULTS.BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS WORKS WITH OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS/ORGANIZATIONS FOR SOLUTIONS TO COMMON CHALLENGES. WE BELIEVE THAT FAMILIES ARE BEST SERVED WHEN THE RESOURCES OF THE BROADER COMMUNITY ARE LEVERAGED; CREATING A WIDE NETWORK OF SUPPORT THAT GOES BEYOND THE ABILITIES OF ONE EXISTING AGENCY. OUR AGENCY CONTINUALLY WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER YOUTH/FAMILY SERVING ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, YOUTH GROUPS, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS, BOY SCOUTS, GIRL SCOUTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, ETC., CREATING EFFECTIVE, SYSTEMIC CHANGE. WE ALSO REFER THE SERVICES OF OTHER AREA AGENCIES IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD AND/OR FAMILY. SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS MAY INCLUDE COUNSELING SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND INTERVENTION SERVICES.IN ADDITION TO THE NUMEROUS BENEFITS PROVIDED THROUGH MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS, EACH YEAR OUR AGENCY OFFERS EDUCATIONAL AND ENRICHING ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH THAT INCORPORATE COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS, ARTS & CULTURE, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, HEALTH, AND FITNESS. DURING OUR PAST FISCAL YEAR, WE SERVED OVER 400 YOUTH IN OUR COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PROGRAM AND AWARDED 14 SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $40,700 TO OUR LITTLES AND HIGH SCHOOL BIGS.OUR LITTLE BIG VIRTUAL ACADEMY IS AN EXTENSIVE RESOURCE THAT CONTAINS FUN AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES OUR MATCHES CAN DO TOGETHER EITHER IN-PERSON OR ONLINE SUCH AS VIRTUAL TOURS, COLLEGE & CAREER EXPLORATION, HEALTH & WELLNESS ACTIVITIES, STEM ACTIVITIES, ETC. (HTTPS://WWW.BIGDEFENDERS.ORG/LITTLE-BIG-VIRTUAL-ACADEMY-3/).WE HAVE A ROBUST AND DIVERSE DEI (DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION) COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF BOARD MEMBERS, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THIS COMMITTEE GUIDES & ADVISES ALL ASPECTS OF OUR PROGRAM TO ENSURE WE ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL YOUTH AND FAMILIES. OUR DEI (DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION) COMMITTEE IS FOCUSED ON GROWING THE DIVERSITY IN OUR PROGRAM TO BETTER REFLECT OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE TAKING INTENTIONAL AND DELIBERATE STEPS TO ENSURE WE ARE WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE TO THOSE WHO NEED US MOST. ONE OF THOSE STEPS INCLUDES WORKING WITH THE CHARITIES REVIEW COUNCIL'S DEI TOOLKIT TO SURVEY OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND IMPLEMENT FINDINGS. WE ARE ALSO SEEKING INPUT AND GUIDANCE FROM OUR DEI COMMITTEE AS WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP OUR AGENCY'S STRATEGIC PLAN.OUR TECHNOLOGY CAPACITIES AND SKILLS CONTINUE TO EXPAND: WE FACILITATE INTERVIEWS, MEETINGS, ETC. VIA ZOOM, TEAMS, AND GOOGLE MEET. THROUGH FORM ASSEMBLY, ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS AND PROGRAM FORMS UPLOAD SEAMLESSLY INTO OUR DATA MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE, MATCHFORCE (CRM) OUR SCHEDULING SOFTWARE, ACUITY, SCHEDULES MATCH SUPPORT CONTACTS, HELPING OUR PROGRAM COORDINATORS BE MORE EFFICIENT BY SPENDING LESS TIME TRYING TO REACH BIGS AND PARENTS/GUARDIANS.IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE GOALS IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN RELATING TO STAFF ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, WE ESTABLISHED NEW POSITIONS FOR TEAM MEMBERS BASED ON SKILLSET AND GROWTH. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT RECOGNIZING THE SKILLS & CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR CURRENT STAFF MEMBERS, AS WELL AS CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UPWARD MOBILITY, WILL BE AN ASSET TO LONG-TERM STAFF RETENTION.IN JUNE 2023, OUR PROGRAM DIRECTOR, ANN MATVICK, RECEIVED THE PROGRAM STAFF PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA. ANN HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR AGENCY FOR 26 YEARS AND HAS LED US IN SERVING THOUSANDS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA YOUTH.