Big Brothers/Big Sisters (BB/BS)

Grades: 6-12

230 North, 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107-1538
Phone: 215/567-7000
Fax: 215/567-0394
E-mail: bbsa@aol.com

BigBrothers/Big Sisters is a mentoring strategy for adolescents. Although BB/BS agencies serve youth in need of adult guidance and friendship, they tend to refer high-risk youth to other, more appropriate community agencies. BB/BS mentoring relationships last an average of 1-1/2 years, and the adults and youth spend time together about three times per month. An evaluation found that Little Brothers and Sisters had less drug use, better academic performance, and better relationships with their parents than comparable youth who did not participate in the program.

Center for Substance Abuse and Prevention, Effective Program
Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Model Program
National Resource Center for Safe Schools, 2001.