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NREPP SAMHSA'S National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices
IMPORTANT LEGACY NOTICE: Legacy Programs have not been reviewed by the current National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). The programs in this database were reviewed only under the previous National Registry of Effective Prevention Programs system. This section is intended to be used for historical reference only. If you would like more information about a program listed here, please contact the program developer directly. The program developer of each Legacy Program listed here agreed to post program information on this site.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America

Brief Program Description

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America is a 100-year-old community-based mentoring program that was founded by Ernest Coulter in 1904. The program, which currently serves more than 200,000 youth in 5,000 communities Nationwide, is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. Big Brothers/Big Sisters aims to improve youths' prosocial behaviors, academic achievement, and family and peer relationships.

A program case manager matches an adult volunteer, known as a Big Brother or Big Sister, to a child, known as a Little Brother or Little Sister, with the expectation that a caring and supportive relationship will develop. A case manager selects, monitors, and eventually closes the relationship with the volunteer and child, and communicates with the volunteer, parent/guardian, and the child throughout the matched relationship.

Independent research has shown that the positive relationships between Big Brothers and Big Sisters and their "Littles" have a direct, measurable, and lasting impact on children's lives. Research and anecdotal evidence specifically show that BBBS one-to-one mentoring helps at-risk youth overcome the many challenges youth face. Little Brothers and Sisters are less likely to begin using illegal drugs, consume alcohol, skip school and classes, or engage in acts of violence. They have greater self-esteem, confidence in their schoolwork performance, and get along better with their friends and families.

Contact Information

For indepth information on this program, please use the contact listed below.

Program Developer

Keoki Hansen, M.A.
Director of Research and Evaluation
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America
Research & Program Development
230 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 567-7000
Fax: (215) 567-0394
Email: national@bbbs.org
Website: www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org

In March 2003, this program was designated as an Effective Program under SAMHSA's previous National Registry of Effective Prevention Programs system.