"Although the national efforts for Big Brothers Big Sisters took place in the early 20th century, the Lorain County chapter was introduced in 1994, thanks to the hard work and initiative assumed by the Leadership Lorain County Class of 1994. More than ten years later, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Lorain County has grown into an organization that successfully serves hundreds of children each year— 11 times as many children as they first matched with mentors in 1994. The agency recently earned two more national awards in addition to Annie E. Casey, Pillsbury and 2000 pennant— the Big Sister of the Year and Top All-Around Performer for 2006.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the most effective youth mentoring organization in Lorain County .We have been the leader in youth service for more than a decade, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors children, ages 6 through 18, in communities across Lorain country.
Our Mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth.
Our Mentoring Programs Works
According to an independent study conducted by Public-Private Ventures, children matched to a Big Brother or Big Sister were:
o 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
o 27% less likely to begin using alco hol
o 52% less likely to skip school
o More confident in schoolwork per for- mance
o Able to get along better with families
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ continual outreach to a younger generation is a necessary and appreciated effort that becomes more successful each year."
BBBS's continued impact on the youth of Lorain County is a testimony to the program’s mission that pledges to help children reach their full potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with measurable impact. Children seeking mentors have an option of two main programs offered through BBBS: community based and school based. The community based program follows the traditional model, which has been the anchor program for BBBS services all over the country. School based programs were developed ten years ago as a way to reach more children, as well as a way to manage risks by delivering services in a school or site -based setting while remaining true to the one-to-one focus.
