Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert

Funding will provide two no-cost, evidence-based Site-Based Mentoring Programs for children and teens in Indio and Coachella. Our program will pair high school students ("Bigs") with elementary-aged youth ("Littles") in Indio and Coachella, where they will meet on-site for approximately four hours per month throughout the school year and summer. High school mentors gain valuable leadership experience, earn community service hours, and build skills that support their college and career goals while serving as positive role models. Littles receive consistent encouragement, guidance, and academic support from their “Big”, helping to strengthen self-esteem, improve school engagement, and develop positive social and life skills.

Contact: Judy Tobin May, Executive Director

Phone: (760) 568-3977

Email: BBBSDesert@aol.com

The objective of the project is to extend the scope and effectiveness of Big Brothers Big Sisters by expanding the number of children benefiting from our mentoring program. The project will involve several key strategies to achieve this goal: Recruitment, Enrollment, Assessment, Match Support, Training and Evaluation.

The pandemic has had a negative impact on younger children, with 22% of parents of elementary-age children reporting worsening of their child’s mental and emotional health along with academic loss. Parents/guardians are more aware than ever that it takes a “team” working together to help kids get back to a more normal life. The Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring model plays a key role in helping families and children building bridges of understanding and creating meaningful relationships by connecting volunteers (Bigs) with youth (Littles) in a structured one-to-one mentoring relationship that is monitored and supported throughout the life of the match relationship.

Contact: Judy Tobin May, Executive Director

Phone: (760) 568-3977

Email: BBBSDesert@aol.com