• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina

Start Something Big

  • About
    • Our Story
    • Our Mission
    • Our 2022-2024 Strategic Plan
    • 2022 Impact Report
    • Our JEDI work
    • Staff & Board
    • Branch Offices
    • Contact
    • Project MARS/AmeriCorps
    • Careers
    • Research
  • Enroll a Child
  • Volunteer
    • WNC Signing Day
    • Becoming a ‘Big’
    • Sports Buddies
    • High School Bigs
    • Big Resources
      • Natural High
  • News & Events
    • Bowl For Kids’ Sake 2023!
    • Big Blog
    • Press
    • Event Calendar
    • Club Summit events
    • How COVID-19 affects Matches
  • Donate
    • Donate
    • Legacy Giving
    • Your 2022 Year-End Donation

Research

We see it every day, and the research shows it – mentoring works.

From our localized Youth Outcome and Teacher Surveys to third-party studies of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, research shows that mentored kids improve their self confidence and academic work, while being less likely to engage in risky behaviors.


Increased Educational Investment & Self Confidence

According to our 2022 local youth outcome surveys, among Littles surveyed:

  • 97% became their self-confidence
  • 93% participated more in school
  • 92% showed better problem-solving skills
  • 90% were more motivated to learn
  • 87% attended school more often

A 2009 nationwide survey conducted by Civic Enterprises International of Bigs and Littles showed that our one-to-one matches made a BIG, positive impact on Littles’ commitment to their education and their self-confidence. Of the Littles surveyed:

  • 93% said that having an adult who cares and looks out for them is very important in helping them achieve their goals
  • 95% said going to school and getting a good education is very important
  • 94% said that graduating from college is very important

 

The 2013 Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Survey (YOS) report reflected across-the-board gains for youth just one year after being in a one-to-one mentoring relationship, with middle-school aged mentees outperforming their unmatched peers in every area measured. In our community-based program:

  • 83% maintained or improved in scholastic competence
  • 94% maintained or improved in their attitudes towards risky behaviors
  • 83% maintained or improved in social acceptance

Reduced Risky Behaviors

Big Brothers Big Sisters impact on reducing risky behaviors was powerfully evidenced in research conducted by Public Private Ventures in 1995. When comparing Littles matched with a Big to children waiting to be served by Big Brothers Big Sisters, these researchers found:

Littles were 46% less likely to start using drugs

Littles were 27% less likely to start using alcohol

Littles were 33% less likely to hit someone


The Mentoring Effect

The Mentoring Effect—a 2014 report produced by MENTOR, HART Research Associates and Civic Enterprises—confirms that mentoring has a significant impact that results in positive outcomes for the youth involved. These critical one-to-one relationships connect youth to social and economic opportunities and through these individual youths’ success, the “mentoring effect” has the potential to strengthen families, schools, businesses and communities.

 

Research In Action

Research in Action is an innovative series  produced by MENTOR that highlights the importance of connecting mentoring research to practice and policy with the goal of improving the impact of youth mentoring. Find Links to the issues below:

Research in Action Issue 1                                     Research in Action Issue 6

Research in Action Issue 2                                    Research in Action Issue 7

Research in Action Issue 3                                    Research in Action Issue 8

Research in Action Issue 4                                    Research in Action Issue 9

Research in Action Issue 5                                    Research in Action Issue 10

Footer

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina

50 South French Broad, #213
Asheville, NC 28801

P (828) 253-1470
F (828) 253-5403

Careers

Serving

  • Avery Co.
  • Buncombe Co.
  • Burke Co.
  • Cashiers Highlands
  • Cherokee Co.
  • Clay Co.
  • Graham Co.
  • Haywood Co.
  • Henderson Co.
  • Jackson Co.
  • Madison Co.
  • McDowell Co.
  • Mitchell Co.
  • Polk Co.
  • Qualla Boundary
  • Rutherford Co.
  • Swain Co.
  • Transylvania Co.
  • Yancey Co.
AmeriCorps logo

Apply Now

United Way Logo

Project MARS/AmeriCorps is supported by a grant from the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service in the Office of Governor Roy Cooper.

© 2023 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina.

Created by Status Forward.
X