Youth mentoring programs are essential for fostering a holistic approach to life in young individuals. Mentorship at a young age is essential to ensure that one is moving in the right direction in life. At BBBSLI, our youth mentorship programs are designed to work upon the potential of the youth. We believe that everyone deserves a chance, no matter what their circumstances might be. Our programs aim to create a holistic environment for youth to grow and develop into their best selves.
The BBBSLI Approach Towards Youth Mentoring
BBBSLI, as an organization, aims to create an environment where one can comfortably mentor and get mentored. Our focus is on the overall development of both our Bigs and Littles. We ensure that the mentors and mentees are all working in sync to achieve the best possible results. Our approach is holistic and works towards the development of holistic competencies in young individuals.
Holistic competencies are a set of soft skills that are essential to one’s growth in life. This can include communication, critical thinking, positive values, and more. Our youth mentoring programs are directed towards the development of these competencies. We have various ways in which we inculcate these qualities in our mentees.
- Connection Between Littles & Bigs – Our mentoring programs are based on the connection between Littles and Bigs. We do everything in our power to ensure that the match between the two is done with utmost care for the best results. Bigs are chosen after a background check, and we match them with Little after proper consideration. We also monitor the matches to ensure that they are the right fit for each other. Our programs help establish a strong bond between the Littles and the Bigs to ensure they can open up to each other. Bigs are also given tools to help their Littles in the best way possible.
- Conducting Activities – BBBSLI conducts various activities throughout the year to improve the holistic quality of our programs. These activities are specially curated to foster various skills in young individuals. A lot of these activities are also conducted so that Littles can have new experiences that are otherwise inaccessible to them. We have a special program where we encourage Littles to participate in sports and have new adventurous experiences that result in their overall holistic development. We also encourage Bigs to do individual activities with Littles to bond with them in a better way.
- Helping Littles – Our organization and the Bigs aim to help Littles in all the ways possible. We ensure that they are getting assistance in school work, homework, or any other tasks. We focus on creating a holistic environment for our Littles where they can freely ask for help and get the help they need. Our Bigs also help them in learning new skills that will be beneficial for them in the long run.
- Providing Support – Our Bigs are chosen carefully because we need empathetic members of society who can provide Littles with the support they need. While Bigs are not a replacement for parents and teachers, they do act as a friend and a guide to the Littles. From providing emotional support to guiding Littles on personal matters, Bigs acts responsibly to help their mentees navigate the various facets of life. They also provide career guidance and help with finding opportunities. Bigs provide Littles with the support they lack at home to help them grow sustainably in life.
- Offering Monetary Assistance – BBBSLI organizes various donation drives to help Littles procure items that are needed in everyday life. From monetary assistance to clothes and other items, we try to get Littles all the items they need to live a sustainable life. We also organize annual galas and other events to get donations, which we use to conduct various activities for the Littles throughout the year. We hold special drives during Thanksgiving to ensure that all the families affiliated with us are being supported fully.
Youth Mentoring Activities for Holistic Growth
One of the major reasons why our youth mentorship programs succeed is because of the various activities we and our Bigs conduct. To help Bigs bond with the Littles, they do various activities together. These activities are crucial in creating a holistic environment for Littles. Following are some of the activities Littles and Bigs participate in to develop a better bond.
- Reading Together
- Playing Board Games
- Watching Movies
- Conversing About Memories
- Journaling
- Trying Out New Experiences
- Playing Sports
- Sketching and Paintings
- Exploring New Parts of the City
- Trying New Food
- Spending Quality Time
How Does Youth Mentorship Impact Holistic Growth?
BBBSLI has different programs that are all aimed towards one single objective – holistic growth of Littles. We take pride in consistently changing the lives of various Littles and being the defender of their potential. There are various benefits littles have derived from the mentorship they receive from their Bigs.
- Improved Behavior – Young individuals who get the right guidance at the right time often experience a positive change in their behavior. Their attitude towards school, parents, career, etc., often undergoes a major change that helps with solving behavioral issues. At BBBSLI, a majority of our Littles experienced positive behavioral change after being regularly mentored by their Bigs.
- More Focus on Education and Career – 100% of our Littles passed their classes, and none of them dropped out of high school or were held back. This is due to the mentorship they received throughout the year. Bigs help Littles with homework and other school work. Youth mentoring also helps in the holistic development of the mind, which results in an increased focus on education and future career prospects. Bigs provide career guidance that helps in giving direction to the interests and life of Littles.
- Developed Maturity and Grew Emotionally – Youth mentorship programs have been widely successful in the development of maturity and emotional intelligence in the Littles. With the help of Bigs, Littles find it easier to open up and share their struggles. As they vocalize their inner feeling and get more in touch with their emotions, it helps them mature emotionally.
- Enhanced Self-esteem – Many Littles also experienced an increase in their self-esteem following their participation in our youth mentoring programs. Bigs help Littles with all the things they need assistance with. It helps them develop strong self-esteem as they feel encouraged and motivated to perform better. Bigs also help them succeed and develop the confidence to do things without the fear of failing.
- Reduced Risk of Addiction – Youth mentorship programs have also been effective in helping youth reduce the risk of addiction. No Little had a run-in with juvenile justice in the last year. This is the result of constant mentorship from Bigs. They guide them over what is right and what is wrong. They inculcate moral values in Littles and guide them on the correct path.
To Sum Up
Youth mentoring programs are essential for the holistic growth of young individuals who lack a supportive home environment. There are various advantages such programs have that enable one to develop holistic capabilities at a young age that would serve them throughout life. Our mentorship programs for youth are created to help Littles explore their full potential and create a happy life for themselves.
At BBBSLI, we follow a holistic approach towards mentorship that is rooted in creating a strong bond between the mentor and the mentee. The final result is often seen in Littles with improved behavior, academics, and an overall brighter outlook on life.