Frequently Asked Questions
A Brief History
In July 1993, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas incorporated, an effort spear-headed by Glenn Sowder, a past president and integral person who began our agency. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas grew out of a "Buddies" program in the Fayetteville Youth Center. Our Board of Directors was formed in 1993, working to build a base of support, both monetary and community. The first agency staff was hired in August 1995, and in November of 1995, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America qualified the agency to begin making matches. Our first Community Based match was made in December of 1995 between a Hispanic University of Arkansas student and a six year old Fayetteville boy, who father died when the boy was three years old. A School Based program was added in the fall of 1998 in Rogers. In 1999, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas became a registered student organization on the University of Arkansas campus. More School Based programs were added, and in 2000 a High School Bigs program was started in Siloam Springs. Today, the agency provides Bigs to Littles in both Benton and Washington Counties through the Community Based and Site Based programs. We have 3 High School Big partnerships as well as a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Fayetteville.
What is Big Brothers Big Sisters?
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. Trained professionals recruit, screen, match and support Big and Little Brothers and Sisters through a network of 470 agencies throughout the country. The Northwest Arkansas agency is proud to be one of them. These one-to-one mentoring relations between caring adults and children have documented positive outcomes for the children.
How many children do you serve?
We have served over 1200 children since the first match was made in 1995. During that time we have matched over 600 local children to dedicated mentors who have made a lasting impact on their lives. Volunteers and community leaders help support BBBS by continuing to donate their time, talent and resources to aid us in our mission. National in 2004, BBBS celebrated it's 100th year in making a powerful difference in children's lives. Today, National Big Brothers Big Sisters serves over 220,000 children.
How did Big Brothers Big Sisters get started?
Several Big Brothers Big Sisters initiatives were started in the beginning of the 20th century. These included one serving girls in New York City and one in Cincinnati, Ohio serving boys. The initiative that the current-day Big Brothers Big Sisters organization traces its roots to began in New York in 1904. Ernest Coulter, a clerk of the Juvenile Court, was appalled by the suffering of the thousands of children who repeatedly came through the court system. At a meeting of the civic and business leaders on December 3, 1904, Coulter appealed to the 39 men present to take on the role of "Big Brother." All 39 men stepped forward, creating the first Big Brothers organization. In the decades to follow, Big Brothers Big Sisters became the leading youth mentoring organization in the United States.
Who are Big Brothers and Big Sisters?
Big Brothers and Big Sisters are all kinds of people including high school and college students, business persons and retirees. There are Big Couples and Big Families as well. Bigs are just ordinary people spending their time making a lasting impact on a child. Bigs sometimes spend as little as one hour each week with a child in need.
Who are Littles?
In Northwest Arkansas Littles are youths, ages six to fourteen, who come to Big Brothers Big Sisters either though a parent, teacher or guardian. We primarily serve children who lack the involvement and support of both parents in their home.
How is Big Brothers Big Sisters different from other mentoring programs?
Big Brothers Big Sisters is both the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the country. It is recognized in the mentoring community as having the premier system for recruiting, matching and supporting Big and Little Brothers and Sisters. Another distinguishing feature is that Big Brothers Big Sisters measures the outcomes of each match.
Have the benefits of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program been studied?
Yes. Studies have indicated the following results. Students who have been in the Big Brothers Big Sisters programs are:
46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs.
27% less likely to begin using alcohol.
52% less likely to skip school.
37% less likely to skip class.
One-third less likely to hit someone, and
They get along better with their family members.
How much does it cost to make a match?
Although it can vary from state to state, it costs on average a $1,000 per match made.
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