Since 1966 Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters has been changing the lives of children across Connecticut. As an independent 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the nation’s oldest youth mentoring organization, the mission of Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Through the excellence of our programs and the commitment of our volunteers and staff, Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters is recognized widely as the “face” of child and youth mentoring in the state of Connecticut. Each year, Nutmeg BBBS offers high-quality mentoring services to approximately 1,000 children and youth from 132 of Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.
Program Overview
To meet the unique needs of the children and families we serve, Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters operates three distinct programs:
Our Community-Based Mentoring Program provides one-to-one mentoring between at-risk children/youth (Littles), aged 6-18, and volunteer mentors (Bigs). Matches meet for a minimum of 6-10 hours per month and participate in enriching educational and recreational activities while discussing issues of importance to the child and forming a bond which allows the child to see the mentor as a worthy friend and confidante. Special targeted programs are available for two populations: a) Latino children/youth and b) children who are involved with the juvenile justice system or are at serious risk of such involvement.
Our School/Site-Based Mentoring Program offer one-to-one mentoring to at-risk children by screened, trained corporate employees, university students, and/or other qualified community volunteers at a supervised, designated site during the school year. Children and mentors meet weekly for activities such as reading together, playing board games, doing art projects, playing basketball and other active games, job shadowing, and community service projects. During 2012-13, site-based programs served as a pilot for specialized mentor training in educational support techniques by Literacy How and Junior Achievement.
Our Foster Grandparent Program connects retired, low-income senior adults and children in Head Start, daycare and preschool programs, and kindergarten classes for one-to-one mentoring. The program focuses on helping children to develop the educational and social skills that are essential foundations of academic and personal success.
