The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Labette County is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that can change their life for the better, forever.
Big Brothers Big Sisters continuously has demonstrated the effectiveness of its programs. In 2006, Public/Private Ventures found that youth matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister are:
46% less likely to start using drugs;
27% less likely to start drinking;
52% less likely to skip a day of school;
33% less likely to engage in violent behavior.
In 1999 an evaluation of BBBS agency school-based mentoring programs found that:
64% of the students developed a more positive attitude toward school;
58% were better able to express their feelings;
64% had higher levels of self confidence
62% were more likely to trust their teachers.
These significant findings demonstrate the value of BBBS mentoring and how youth benefit when they are given the opportunity to be mentored. The essence of the BBBS mentoring program is rooted in the most fundamental human relationship: a caring interaction between two people. Out of this intentional interaction, youth develop in ways that will make them more likely to succeed as they make the transition from adolescence into young adulthood. And more than the child is touched. The mentor benefits by learning more about the challenges facing youth today; Schools benefit as youth improve their chances of school success; Entire communities benefit when young adults succeed in their jobs, their relationships, and give back by becoming mentors themselves and by becoming community leaders.
Our board of directors is intended to be comprised of 12 members that represent Parsons, Altamont, Oswego, and the surrounding areas. Currently, we have 12 active members. Our Community Based program has been in operation since 2001. We began our Bigs in School program during the 2006-2007 school year.