Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawkes Bay

About

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers a consistent 1 to 1 adult relationship that's designed to assist children & young people to face their everyday challenges.

https://givealittle.co.nz/org/big-brothers-big-sisters-hawkes-bay#

Story

Project Leader

Sgt Carl SOUTHWICK

Phone: 0211906941

Email: [email protected]

Case Managers

Patricia Small

Phone: 022 5812965
Email: [email protected]

1. WHY ARE WE HERE? - HE AHA TATOU I TU AI HEI ROPU?

Our Purpose
To positively change young lives forever.


Our mission Provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better.

Our vision All children achieve success in life.

“One hour l once a week l one life”


2. WHAT WE DO - HE AHA A TATOU MAHI

Our program matches a volunteer Big Brother or Big Sister with a child who could benefit from a one to one relationship with a caring adult. We matches children ages 6 through to 10 with mentors in a professionally supported one to one relationship, they can stay matched until the young person is 18.
Children who spend time with a mentor gain confidence, acquire new skills and competencies and develop an enhanced capacity to care for others.



WE’RE BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS of Hawkes Bay

Big Brothers Big Sisters has a long and strong history worldwide for a reason: it is simple and it works. Mentoring is simply about walking alongside another, letting a young person know they are valued and not alone. A recent review overwhelmingly confirms that the Big Brothers Big Sisters programme benefits the young people of Hawkes Bay because it is simple and credible.

We believe every child should have the opportunity to reach his or her full potential, both as individuals and people – that by doing so, they will not only do well, they will also do good.

We believe that by changing the course of young lives we can in turn be changing the course of a community’s future. That it could lead to a reduction in poverty and unemployment. Or to safer schools and neighbourhoods. Or to a renewed optimism for growth. That it could even lead to change on a broader, more far-reaching scale.

We believe that opening a child’s eyes to what is – opens their mind to what could be.

For nearly one hundred years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been making a positive difference in the lives of youth by developing and implementing a wide range of mentoring programs. One-to-one and group programs, for both in school and outside of school.
Serving as role models, our mentors teach by example the importance of giving and giving back, of staying in school, and of having respect for family, peers and community. Each time we pair a child with a mentor or introduce a group of students to an in-school program, we start something incredible – a life-changing relationship built on friendship, trust and empowerment.


We’re Big Brothers Big Sisters, and we believe in the value and values of mentoring.




3. HOW WE DO IT - HE PEHEA E MAHIA AI E TATOU

BIG BROTHER, LITTLE BROTHER MATCH
The Little Brother Mentoring program provides boys and young men with a role model and a friend to talk to and share the experiences of growing up with. Through regular outings, a relationship is developed between the mentor and the mentee that is built on trust and common interests, and is supported by our experienced case-workers. The result is a life-changing experience for both the mentor and the mentee. The program strives to do the following: provide a role model and a friend for boys and young men.
· promote the importance of staying in school and healthy relationships with family and peers.
· instil trust and self-confidence in order to make healthy decisions.
· encourage leadership skills and independent thinking.
· and above all, make a difference while having fun.

BIG SISTER, LITTLE SISTER MATCH
The Little Sister Mentoring program provides girls and young women with a role model and a friend to talk to and share the experiences of growing up with. Through regular outings, a relationship is developed between the mentor and the mentee, that is built on trust and common interests, and is supported by our experienced case-workers. The result is a life-changing experience for both the mentor and the mentee. The program strives to do the following: provide a role model and a friend for girls and young women.
· promote the importance of staying in school and healthy relationships with family and peers.
· instil trust and self-confidence in order to make healthy decisions.
· encourage leadership skills and independent thinking.
· And above all, make a difference while having fun.


What is next - the Future
IN SCHOOL MENTORING
The In School Mentoring program provides girls and boys with a role model and a friend to talk to and share the experiences of growing up with, within school grounds. For one hour a week, mentors meet with their mentee and engage in activities such as board games, crafts or just hang out in the playground.
The In School Mentoring program requires a weekly visit of 1 hour for the duration of the school year. Matches do not meet over the summer break or during other school holidays.

In-School Mentoring Makes a Big Difference
 90% of mentors saw a positive change in the child they were mentoring
 88% of students showed improved literacy skills
 64% had developed higher levels of self-esteem

4. Our Targets

10 by 2017 / 30 by 2018 / 50 by 2019 / 120 by 2020


“Witnessing the transformation of a child into a confident, concerned and motivated young person is a remarkable thing. Ushering them into adulthood, seeing them grow into a successful, responsible member of their community and society at large is even more satisfying. Proudly, it’s something our staff, volunteers and donors help bring about every day, and we’re very grateful for their generosity and support”
.
Whether it’s in the form of time or money there is no more important investment we as individuals can make than in helping our nation’s children realize – and share – their full potential. They help that child to raise their head to face the world with a smile on their face.

“It takes a village to raise a child”

"Big Brothers Big Sisters is a youth mentoring programme which has been operating worldwide since 1904, and in Hawke’s Bay since 2006. We are passionate about our region’s tamariki and believe every child should have the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. To achieve this, we match young people with suitable adult mentors from our community, and support them in building stable, positive friendships. The difference you can make with one hour, once a week can impact a lifetime. By changing the course of young lives, we can change the course of our community’s future.Want to support our programme? You can do this by donating, volunteering, or advocating to help us change the lives of our young people. Find out more on our website."