PROGRAM IMPACTS… STRATEGIES THAT WORK

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ozaukee County, Inc. provides a unique, prevention-focused approach to youth development. Our positive, broad-based programs focus less on specific problems after they occur, and more on meeting youth’s most basic developmental needs. The
one-to-one mentoring relationships we build and support provide guidance to help children develop the positive values and self-worth they need to make sound decisions about issues that impact their future development including decisions about drug and alcohol use, early parenting, peer and family relationships.

Just think about it: Young people saying ‘no’ to drugs and alcohol, improving their school performance, getting along better with peers – all because they had a Big Brother or Big Sister.

The impact made by providing another caring adult in the life of every child is not just a dream"– it’s a reality, and we have a study by a nationally acclaimed, experienced research group to prove it*. Researchers found that 18 months after beginning a match, Little Brothers and Little Sisters were:

- 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
- 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- 52% less likely to skip school
- 37% less likely to skip a class
- more confident of their performance in school
- one-third less likely to hit someone, and
- getting along better with their peers

Children experience many challenges, and a special friend to listen to them, to whom they can talk and do fun activities, someone to “Turn Little Moments Into Big Magic” makes all the difference in the world.

“Making a Difference, An Impact Study of Big Brothers and Big Sisters”; Public/Private Ventures, 1996.