Our professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships support the social and emotional development needed for the youth we serve to build resilience, mental health, and well-being. These relationships will enrich the lives of youth in our communities and build brighter futures.
Founded in 1963, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass & Metrowest has supported children in our community through individualized mentoring programs for over 60 years.
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College Matches
This month, we are highlighting the amazing volunteer spirit of our college matches. We have college Bigs at Clark University, Holy Cross, Nichols, and WPI. Throughout the school year, busy college students take time out of their week to visit their Little at school. Together, they play games, do homework, have snacks, and talk about their days.
Recently, a group of Littles attended a game to cheer on their Bigs. These Littles are their biggest fans! As the school year is coming to an end, our college program is wrapping up so the Bigs and Littles are saying "see you soon" until they reunite in September. And for our Bigs who are graduating, we say thank you for you dedication to your Little and congratulations!
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The CDC recently released data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey which provides trend data on health behaviors and experiences among high school students in the United States.
The survey tells us that female students experience more violence, mental health challenges, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and substance use than their male peers. We learned that more than 1 in 10 LGBQ+ students did not go to school because of safety concerns; nearly 1 in 4 experienced sexual violence, and nearly 1 in 4 were bullied at school during the past year. A large and increasing percentage of students from racial and ethnic groups felt persistently sad or hopeless.
It is clear that there is work to be done. And we know that mentoring matters. The mentoring relationships that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass & Metrowest support each day are minimizing risky behaviors for our youth.
Here are some positives:
- Youth who are mentored are 55% more likely to attend college.
- After one year of mentorship, DOJ research found depression scores for BBBS mentored youth declined 19%.
- The CDC highlights that mentoring is an effective intervention for mitigating the impact of ACEs, and other mental health concerns.
We must continue to work together to #IgnitePotential in the youth we serve. Thank you for your dedicated support because we can not do it alone.
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Framingham! Let's Erase the Wait! |
Becoming a Big is more important now than ever as we all navigate the challenges and changes in our daily lives. Kids in your community need Bigs like you to bring support and instill confidence as we all navigate this challenging time.
Big Brothers Big Sisters serves young people from age eight through young adulthood in one-to-one mentoring friendships. Bigs and Littles hang out 2-3 times a month for a few hours doing normal, everyday activities, like seeing a movie, doing homework, playing games, going out to eat, or just hanging out!
Each match is supported by a dedicated Match Support Specialist who is always there to provide resources and support specific to the Little's age. With a Big in their life, Littles in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program are empowered to ignite their potential as they grow in their self-esteem, earn better grades, and develop a lifelong friendship with their Big.
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7th Annual Golf Fore Kids
June 12, 2023
Framingham Country Club
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We're already thinking about warm, golf days! We are hosting our 7th Annual Golf Fore Kids tournament this June. To view more information about registering a foursome or sponsoring, click on the button below. |
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Sunshine n' Summertime Party!
July 29, 2023
SAC in Shrewsbury, MA
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Join us for our annual summer party for matches! This year we're taking it to the tropics! So bring your sunscreen and shades and get ready for some fun with your Little. We'll be organizing fun outdoor games like tug-of-war, 3-legged-races, and kickball.
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Become a Big
We are always looking for dedicated, caring adults to volunteer as a Big. There are consistently about 100 kids on our waitlist. Learn more about becoming a Big by clicking on the button below.
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Make a Donation
Your generous contribution will help provide at-risk children the support they need to make positive changes in their lives and begin to realize their full potential. Not to mention, it makes you a part of something big.
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18 Chestnut Street, Suite 340
Worcester, MA 01608
233 Cochituate Rd
Framingham, MA 01701
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