About - Big Buddies of Southwestern Minnesota
...Vision Statement...
To support, inspire and guide every child in need toward a future of unlimited opportunity through mentoring.
...Mission Statement...
Big Buddies of Western Community Action, Inc is a community-based, one-to-one mentoring program matching youth ages 5-17, with positive, caring volunteers. Big Buddies seeks to build relationships that nurture personal growth, develop a sense of community and are rewarding to everyone involved.
...Your child's
safety is very important to us...
Big Buddies of Western Community Action will conduct a background
check on every volunteer in our mentoring program.
We’ll work closely with the parents of little buddies to make the
selection
of the big buddy a good match. You will help provide information about
your little
buddies strengths and needs. Once the match is made with your child
you will remain closely involved.
Why is Mentoring Important to
Young People?
- 46% are less likely to begin using drugs; 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- 32% are less likely to hit someone; 47% of youth claimed mentoring helped “a lot” with avoiding getting in trouble outside of school
- 45% of youth claimed mentoring helped “a lot” with avoiding smoking, drinking, drug use; 25% claimed it helped “a lot” with avoiding sexual activity
- 52% are less likely to skip school; 48% claimed mentoring helped “a lot” with grades
- More students are likely to graduate from High School; enroll in college
- 52% like school more; 56% achieve better grades
- 62% claimed mentoring helped “a lot” with feeling better about themselves
- More youth are hopeful about their future
- 51% get along better with teachers; 48% get along better with parents or friends
- Mentoring helps youth with social skills, which is highly related to school performance, and getting and keeping a job
- 37% reduced lying to a parent
- More students are likely to get involved in community service