Bigs In Schools A partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay and the School District of Hillsborough County. Hillsborough County

Mentoring, by definition… The Florida Department of Education (DOE) has embraced the following operational definition for mentoring: “ A mentor is a caring person, either an adult or an older youth, giving a specified period of time to a youth in Florida’s schools or through a coordinated out-of-school, specified mentoring program. A mentor volunteers to work with a youth to help him/her succeed academically or in life, through tutoring, aid in goal-setting, counseling, advising and/or educating either one-to-one or in a small group setting.” (Office of Family and Community Outreach/DOE and the Governor's Mentoring Initiative Office 12/2003) Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission: “ To help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with measurable impact.”

The Florida Department of Education (DOE) has embraced the following operational definition for mentoring:

“ A mentor is a caring person, either an adult or an older youth, giving a specified period of time to a youth in Florida’s schools or through a coordinated out-of-school, specified mentoring program. A mentor volunteers to work with a youth to help him/her succeed academically or in life, through tutoring, aid in goal-setting, counseling, advising and/or educating either one-to-one or in a small group setting.”

(Office of Family and Community Outreach/DOE and the Governor's Mentoring Initiative Office 12/2003)

Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission:

“ To help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with measurable impact.”

A history of success: Big Brothers Big Sisters launched its School Based Mentoring Initiative with DOE in 1999 aiming to reach academically under-performing children. Utilizing our hallmark one-to-one mentoring program and our network of professionally supported, screened and trained mentors, we have provided academic and social/emotional support to 3,512 Hillsborough County schoolchildren during the last nine years. In the 2007-2008 school year, 618 children were provided Big Brothers or Big Sisters in 24 partnership schools across the county. 100+ students from Hillsborough County high schools volunteered to serve as Big Brothers or Big Sisters to children in nearby elementary schools. Participating high schools included Blake, Chamberlain, Gaither, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lennard, Middleton and Sickles.

Big Brothers Big Sisters launched its School Based Mentoring Initiative with DOE in 1999 aiming to reach academically under-performing children. Utilizing our hallmark one-to-one mentoring program and our network of professionally supported, screened and trained mentors, we have provided academic and social/emotional support to 3,512 Hillsborough County schoolchildren during the last nine years.

In the 2007-2008 school year, 618 children were provided Big Brothers or Big Sisters in 24 partnership schools across the county.

100+ students from Hillsborough County high schools volunteered to serve as Big Brothers or Big Sisters to children in nearby elementary schools. Participating high schools included Blake, Chamberlain, Gaither, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lennard, Middleton and Sickles.

Citrus Park Elementary Claywell Elementary Clair Mel Elementary Cypress Creek Elementary Edison Elementary Egypt Lake Elementary Forest Hills Elementary Just Elementary Lanier Elementary Mort Elementary Palm River Elementary Pinecrest Elementary Pizzo Elementary Potter Elementary Rampello K-8 Roland Park K-8 Roosevelt Elementary Shaw Elementary Sheehy Elementary Sulphur Springs Elementary USF/Patel Charter School Valrico Elementary Walden Lake Elementary West Tampa Elementary BBBS/Partner Schools

Citrus Park Elementary

Claywell Elementary

Clair Mel Elementary

Cypress Creek Elementary

Edison Elementary

Egypt Lake Elementary

Forest Hills Elementary

Just Elementary

Lanier Elementary

Mort Elementary

Palm River Elementary

Pinecrest Elementary

Pizzo Elementary

Potter Elementary

Rampello K-8

Roland Park K-8

Roosevelt Elementary

Shaw Elementary

Sheehy Elementary

Sulphur Springs Elementary

USF/Patel Charter School

Valrico Elementary

Walden Lake Elementary

West Tampa Elementary

The Bigs In School program provides solid outcomes: 98% of the children mentored by Big Brothers Big Sisters improved or maintained academic performance. 95% improved or maintained school attendance. 96% improved behavioral evaluations. 96% were promoted to the next grade level. 81% of the children mentored by Big Brothers Big Sisters increased in levels of self-confidence An Investment Resulting in a Solution…

The Bigs In School program provides solid outcomes:

98% of the children mentored by Big Brothers Big Sisters improved or maintained academic performance.

95% improved or maintained school attendance.

96% improved behavioral evaluations.

96% were promoted to the next grade level.

81% of the children mentored by Big Brothers Big Sisters increased in levels of self-confidence

Dollar Value of BBBS Resources Big Brothers Big Sisters Volunteer Hours 12,999 Value per Hour* $19.51 Total Value of Volunteer Support Through BBBS $253,610.49 Countywide in-kind contributions & local matching funds $154,406.20 Program Value $408,016.69 *Source: www.independentsector.org

Big Brothers Big Sisters Volunteer Hours 12,999

Value per Hour* $19.51

Total Value of Volunteer Support Through BBBS $253,610.49

Countywide in-kind

contributions & local

matching funds $154,406.20

Program Value $408,016.69

*Source: www.independentsector.org

Demographics; Children Served

Proven, turn-key efficient system that is cost-effective and reliable (average cost of a match is $1000 per year) Builds, supports, and maintains partnerships between schools, teachers, counselors and children Designates a local case management team in every school Recruits, screens, and trains volunteers with safety in mind Handles day-to-day oversight to ensure smooth operation and monitor program quality as well as student progress: oversees matches, support teachers Provides reports and updates on student achievement BBBS: Reliable Program Management

Proven, turn-key efficient system that is cost-effective and reliable (average cost of a match is $1000 per year)

Builds, supports, and maintains partnerships between schools, teachers, counselors and children

Designates a local case management team in every school

Recruits, screens, and trains volunteers with safety in mind

Handles day-to-day oversight to ensure smooth operation and monitor program quality as well as student progress: oversees matches, support teachers

Provides reports and updates on student achievement