Mission
Our mission is to help children in need reach their potential through professionally-supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships.
With 40 years of service and experience, our goals are clear:
• Strengthen the social, emotional, cognitive and behavioral competencies of children living in Missoula;
• Improve the children’s commitment to school and to academic achievement;
• Improve the children’s understanding of healthy standards of behavior;
• Improve each child’s resilience, self-esteem and sense of the future; and
• Strengthen each child’s sense of self-worth.
History
Big Brothers of Missoula was founded in 1970 by a group of concerned citizens and social work students from the University of Montana. Big Sisters was added in 1975. In 1996 the program expanded its services to include a school-based mentoring program. Nationally the organization has been serving children since 1904. The purpose of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to mentor the at-risk population of children ages 6 -14. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a best practice organization, which means it has been scientifically evaluated and proven to be effective.
The School-Based Mentoring Program was started as part of the CS Porter Prevention Project. This mentoring program matches elementary and middle school children with positive adult role models who spend time each week with the child at school. Children in this program display improved self-esteem, enhanced academic performance, and a positive sense of the future. These goals are accomplished through consistent contact with the student and by offering support, guidance and concrete assistance to the child.
BBBS Missoula has always included particularly vulnerable children in our sphere of service. In 1999, the Connections program was started, which sought to provide mentors for first-time juvenile misdemeanor offenders. And since 2003 we have been matching Bigs with children who have an incarcerated parent, through the federally-funded Mentoring Children of Prisoners program.
Programs
Children and youth are given the option of participating in one of two programs.
Our Community-Based Mentoring Programmatches one adult volunteer to one child with a time commitment of 2-3 hours per week. There is no experience required, just a desire to have fun and build a friendship with a child. The volunteer mentor, the child, and his or his parent/guardian make a one year commitment to the relationship. The community program partners with businesses in the Missoula area offering discount recreational activities for matches. A sub-set of our community-based service is our Mentoring Children of Prisoners program. Missoula BBBS has developed a model approach to providing mentoring services to children of incarcerated parents, which has been nationally recognized as effective in serving this high-risk group of children.
Through our School-Based Program, volunteers provide fun and support to children after school. Matches involved in this program meet one afternoon a week at the child’s school. While a mentor may spend time helping the child with schoolwork, the focus is on providing friendship and emotional support. Typically this involves reading for pleasure, playing educational games, or just sitting and talking. Current school partners include Franklin Elementary School, Hawthorne Elementary School, Lewis and Clark Elementary School, Russell Elementary School, and Porter Middle School.
Children We Serve
In 2007, over 330 children and youth (aged 6-18) from Missoula County were matched with carefully-screened, professionally-supported, adult volunteer mentors. In 2008 we are on track to serve over 350 children and youth.
• 63% of our current matches involve children and youth who are living in families whose annual household incomes are at or below the federal poverty level
• 25% have a parent who is incarcerated
• 75% are from single parent households.
• 10% live with extended family instead of a parent
• 12% of the children are Native American, Hispanic, or Asian Pacific Islander
Impact on Children and Youth
In 2007:
• 94% of Missoula children matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister demonstrated an improved ability to express their feelings.
• 88% demonstrated improved self-confidence.
• 78% demonstrated an improved ability to make decisions.
• 75% showed improved interest in hobbies and other activities.
• 73% demonstrated an investment in their future.
• 70% demonstrated improved class participation.
• 66% demonstrated improved respect towards other cultures.
• 60% demonstrated a more positive attitude towards school.
Staff
STAFF
Danette -Executive Director ;)
Claire - Development Assistant/Event Coordinator
Melissa -Enrollment Specialist
Molly - Match Support Specialist
Nicole - Match Support Specialist
Nicole -Match Support Specialist
Dax - Match Support Specialist
Dustin -Match Support Specialist
BOARD
Ed Heine-President
Diane Beck-Vice-President
Kate Joyce-Secretary
Greg Malone-Treasurer
Mike Callaghan
Jennifer Ellis
Leslie Halligan
Scott Johnson
Dave McKay
Chris Newbold
Malin Stearns-Johnson
Mary Windecker