Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida Fact Sheet

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest youth mentoring organization in the U.S. and has been serving the Jacksonville area since 1915. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida (BBBSNEFL) currently serves Duval, Baker, Clay, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and Volusia counties and growth in matches and revenues has doubled in the last 2 years. In 2007, BBBSNEFL was recognized as one of the top 30 performing agencies of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, which has over 450 affiliate members. BBBSNEFL currently serves over 1600 matches through professionally supported one-to-one relationships.
Mission: Regardless of race, creed, economic status or family situation, our mission is to provide a mentor for each child in Northeast Florida who needs and wants an adult friend in their lives.
What we do:
1. Recruit adult volunteers who want to make a difference in a child’s life
2. Interview, screen & train volunteers
3. Match volunteers with children
4. Professionally support & nurture these special relationships
Our three programs:
Bigs In School
Bigs in School is a school based mentoring program that focuses on one-to-one interaction between a Big and Little. Bigs and Littles meet once a week for an hour in the child’s school.
Community One to One
The Community Based program also focuses on one-to-one interaction. Bigs and Littles meet outside school grounds and do various activities, such as biking, going to the beach, park, museum, movies, etc. Bigs and Littles meet at least twice a month.
Children of Promise
This program is designed like the Community program, except it is intended for children with one or more parents incarcerated in state or federal prison. The recidivism rate for these children is 70%. Children of Promise is a dedicated effort to break the cycle of incarceration.
Results:
• Child develops a greater sense of confidence & potential as the bond with their Big matures
• Helps to stop the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and crime
• Children are less likely to begin using drugs, alcohol, or skip school
We are a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization and are funded through the United Way, state, local and federal grants, foundations, corporate and private contributions.