Week 33 of #52weeksofgiving - Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire
For week 33 of #52weeksofgiving, we thought it only appropriate to share Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire since Michelle had her Little Sister, Belle, over for a birthday party! Belle and her father visited Le Beau Domaine this past weekend to celebrate her birthday with Michelle and a few farm animal friends like Jazz the donkey.
Their fun-filled day also included exploring by the pond, swimming in the pool, and eating LOTS of ice cream cake. They all had a wonderful time hanging out on a beautiful sunny day—just look at that big smile on Belle’s face! It brought us a lot of joy, too.
Michelle is grateful for the opportunity to connect with and support Belle through Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire. She recently became Belle’s Big Sister and is excited to guide and watch her grow up! Learn more about this New Hampshire nonprofit and how you can help local youth reach their full potential.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire
Photo courtesy of BBBSNH on Facebook
You are probably familiar with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, a mentoring network that’s been around since 1904. The youth-focused nonprofit has agencies nationwide, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire (BBBSNH) was formed in 1966. Today, BBBSNH serves 750 children yearly “by creating, fostering and supporting one-to-one relationships between youth facing adversity and caring volunteer adult mentors.”
With several offices throughout the state, BBBSNH matches mentors with Littles right in their local communities. Their professional team supports mentors, ensures the well-being of enrolled kids, and provides resources for parents, teachers, and other defenders of New Hampshire youth.
BBBSNH builds powerful, long-lasting matches between Bigs and Littles to help youth develop life skills and close the achievement and opportunity gaps many underserved kids face. The New Hampshire nonprofit conducts regular surveys of their Littles to measure their mentors' impact. Here’s what they’ve found:
70% of Littles have higher educational aspirations
77% of Littles report better decision-making
90% of Littles feel better about themselves
BBBSNH programs are structured to make a genuine difference in the lives of children. The organization is constantly innovating new ways to support underserved youth, including:
1-to-1 Community-based Mentoring: This is the “traditional” mentoring program, where Bigs and Littles are matched in a one-to-one friendship based on gender, interests, personalities, and geographic locations.
Workplace Mentoring: Companies can become BBBSNH partners to offer a unique mentoring experience in which Littles visit the workplace twice a month to meet with Bigs for group and one-to-one activities.
Bigs in Badges: Professionals from select law enforcement, fire, and ambulance departments are matched with Littles in their communities in this occupational mentoring program.
P.R.I.S.M.: BBBSNH partners closely with Seacoast Outright to provide enrolled LGBTQ+ youth with support and resources to navigate stigma and discrimination through one-to-one mentoring.
Trauma-informed Mentoring Practices: BBBSNH collaborates with college mentors from behavioral health and sciences programs to pair them with children who have suffered trauma, offering additional support to youth and providing real-world experience in trauma-informed practices to mentors.
Mentor 2.0: This technology-enhanced, one-to-one mentoring program provides low-income and first-generation high school students with an opportunity to explore college and career options and prepares them with skills and tools to succeed after high school.
Learn more about BBBSNH programs.
How to Get Involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters
Photo courtesy of BBBSNH on Facebook
If you’d like to get involved or support BBBSNH financially, there are many ways to do so for both individuals and organizations! You can:
Be a Big: Apply to become a mentor to a Little and help them fulfill their potential! Simply spend time with your Little for a few hours, a couple of times a month, doing your favorite shared activities—from playing sports to going on hikes and picnics to enjoying a beach day.
Be a Partner: Become a corporate partner and support BBBSNH in various ways, from sponsoring a mentoring match to making in-kind donations to hosting third-party fundraising events and more! Plus, you’ll help spread the nonprofit’s message and get your whole team involved.
Donate: Whether you make a one-time donation, join the Impact Circle monthly giving club, or choose another way to give, your generosity helps fund training programs, events, and BBBSNH staff so they can continue their mission.
To help other children and youth like Belle and experience a new, highly rewarding form of giving back, visit Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire. Or, keep up with their latest efforts and programs by following them on Instagram @bbbsnh and Facebook.
And if you’d like to learn more about what it’s like being a Big, contact us today! Michelle would love to share her experience with you.