Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago helps children realize their potential and build their futures. We nurture children, strengthen communities and believe that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation's largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes such as educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children (“Littles") with screened volunteer mentors (“Bigs"), and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course.

Big Brothers Big Sisters' mentoring positively impacts the negative effects of poverty and violence and is backed by independently proven youth outcomes – educational success; higher aspirations and improved confidence; and avoidance of risky, delinquent behaviors. Proven educational and behavioral outcomes have been verified by the most rigorous independent evaluation. The children in our program become productive, educated citizens who create value. Our program models have been demonstrated in rigorous, large-scale experimental studies to provide measurable benefits to participating youth Our programs appear on numerous lists of model and effective prevention programs, including, for example the American Youth Policy Forum, the Model Program Guide of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Blueprints for Violence Prevention.

BBBSChi fulfills its mission through delivery of Community Based Mentoring and a variety of Site Based Mentoring Programs. Community Based Mentoring is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters brand of mentoring where caring, screened and trained adult volunteers are paired in one-to-one mentoring relationships with youth. BBBSChi employs a Service Delivery Model (SDM) where professionally trained staff such as customer relations specialists, enrollment & matching specialists, and match support specialists recruit, screen, train, match and support the volunteer, child and family every step of the way. Big and Little matches spend time together for several hours each month engaging in activities they both enjoy. Activities can range from playing sports, going to a museum, reading together, working on homework, visiting a college campus or just hanging out, talking and enjoying each other's company. Achievement of outcomes is supported through programmatic grounding in the BBBSA Service Delivery Model (SDM) mentioned above, a systemically planned process of volunteer assessment, orientation, training, matching, ongoing match support, and program evaluation. Site Based Mentoring Programs–The same components of the Service Delivery Model outlined above provide the foundation for Site Based Mentoring. Site Based Mentoring uses the same one to one mentoring approach as Community Based Mentoring but Bigs and Littles meet at a prearranged space such as a school, community center or place of business 2-4 times per month with other Big/Little pairs. BBBSChi utilizes full time Program Coordinators to facilitate the programs and support the match relationships. The matches center their time on a variety of activities: one-to-one time on homework help, reading, playing board games, engaging in arts/crafts projects or group activities for all matches linked to key skill development such as financial literacy, presentation skills and college and career exposure, recreational activities, holiday projects, academic challenges, community affairs projects, and field trips to the mentor's work or university site.

The SDM includes: Program Orientation that addresses the needs of mentors and mentees and explains eligibility criteria, time commitments, expectations and restrictions, and program policies; Eligibility Screening for mentors that includes an application process and review, a face-to-face interview, home visit for Community Based Program applicants, reference checks, a DCFS background check, a criminal background check with real time criminal conviction updates, and a department of motor vehicles check; Readiness and Training Curriculum that provides skills development, cultural/heritage sensitivity and appreciation training, guidelines for relationship management, role descriptions, confidentiality and liability information, and crisis management/problem solving resources; Matching Strategies that emphasize consistency, a grounding in the program's eligibility requirements, appropriate criteria for matches (including gender, age, language requirements, interests, preferences of volunteer and participant, life experiences, and temperaments), a signed statement of understanding, and pre-match social activities; Match Monitoring and Support that consists of regular, scheduled meetings with staff, mentors and participants, a tracking system for ongoing assessment, written records, and a well-defined process for managing grievances, re-matching, interpersonal problem solving, and premature relationship closure; Recognition of Matches and volunteer commitments at annual appreciation events; Program Outcome Measurements that assess benefits of the match to the child through BBBSA survey tools (Youth Outcome Surveys, Child Outcome Surveys, and Strength of Relationship Measures) grounded in a set of research-based social, emotional, and academic indicators; and Closure Steps that include private and confidential exit interviews, a clearly stated policy for future contacts, and assistance for mentees in defining next steps for achieving personal goals.

FY2020 continued our trend of solid programmatic, financial and organizational accomplishments as described below:
• Matched 2,263 youth with adult mentors
• 99% of our high school seniors graduated from high school with 97% going on to post-secondary success
• Generated $5.1 million in revenue for core programs and growth initiatives
• Maintained GuideStar Platinum Rating, highest level of certification
• In-person sessions and match outings occurred through mid-March 2020; Virtual programming held after
• Made first virtual match in the entire BBBS affiliate network
• Englewood office providing deeper services to Chicago’s south and west sides
• Started growth strategies targeted to Lake County, Illinois
• New Male Bigs increase by 33%; Bigs of Color increase by 58%
• Continued Growth Initiatives

Our current goals for FY2021 are:
• Grow diversified revenue base, establish new strategic events and increase individual giving through an annual giving campaign with an emphasis on major gifts
• Remain debt free with a minimum of 110 days of working capital reserves
• Serve 2,300 youth – 1,000 in Site Based and 1,300 in Community Based
• Attain an average match length of 24 months in Community Based and 15 months in Site Based Programs
• Graduate 99% of our high school seniors with 95% experiencing post-secondary success
• Continue Diversity Committee initiatives including investments in trainings, agency assessment, and Representation recruitment events
• Maintain operational excellence and measure return on investment in all our services, along with growth initiatives