Big Brothers, Big Sisters

This is a community mentoring program that aims to provide adolescents with a sense of security and emotional support, as well as to promote social skills and provide assistance to develop school skills. The program connects adult mentors with a child in a situation of social vulnerability, with the expectation of developing a relationship for social support.
Mentors are selected and monitored by program professionals, and pairings are made based on shared goals and interests between the child and the adult volunteer. Mentors are expected to meet with the child for three to five hours a week for a period of 12 months or longer.
Case management includes supervision, advice, and guidance to the mentor, as well as support and encouragement.

Impact evaluations

Impact evaluation studies show that children participating in the program were 46% less likely to start consuming illegal drugs; 27% less likely to start abusing alcohol; 32% fewer incidents related to assaults in the previous 12 months; and fewer absences from school. There was a small positive effect on school grades, but no significant impact on property crime and theft [1] [2].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Tierney, J., Grossman, J. & Resch, N. (1995, reprinted 2000). Making a Difference: An Impact Study of Big Brothers Big Sisters. http://ppv.issuelab.org/resources/11972/11972.pdf

[2] Grossman, J. B. y Tierney, J. P. (1998). Does Mentoring Work? Evaluation Review, 22(3), 403–426. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193841X9802200304

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