Who We Are
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Springfield is a donor and volunteer-supported organization that was established more than thirty years ago to serve children and families throughout Clark, Champaign and Madison counties. In 2009, the agency formally merged with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio. Together, we are one of the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in the United States.
What We Do
At the core of Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring is the development of a successful relationship between the mentor and child. Mentors and youth spend time together – time set aside just for the child – to participate in a variety of activities designed to enrich their lives and to develop trust over time. Mentors provide opportunities for growth and self-reflection while modeling appropriate behavior. Through these one-to-one relationships youth build measurable developmental assets that help them achieve their highest potential.
As an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, our agency has adopted national standards that govern the screening and acceptance of both youth and adults; the training and orientation volunteers must undergo; the matching process; required meeting frequency; and the ongoing supervision of mentoring relationships, which involves regular contact between the agency and the adult volunteer, the youth and the parent. These evidence-based standards have been validated by national research and independent evaluators.
We serve children through our three core one-to-one mentoring programs: our traditional Big/Little program known as Community-based Mentoring, our on-site in schoolprogram known as School-based Mentoring, and Mentoring Programs at Camp Oty’Okwa.
Our research-based, best practices Community-based Mentoring program matches a volunteer "Big" with a "Little" from the community to provide an additional caring adult role model in the child’s life.
Our School-based Mentoring Volunteer mentors are matched with students during the school year and during school hours. The volunteers meets with that same child weekly. They provide friendship and someone to talk to who will reinforce the child’s value.
In addition, Mentoring Programs at Camp Oty’Okwa in the Hocking Hills are open to children in our community. Camp Oty’Okwa provides a safe haven for at-risk youth during the summer months. Surrounded by nature, campers improve their self-esteem and independence, as well as their social and leadership skills.
