Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina

Goal: $12,000.00

Specific Need

Empowering Salina’s Youth Through Mentorship

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina is dedicated to ensuring that local children facing adversity are matched with positive role models who serve as friends, listeners, and strong advocates. Our programs provide a safe, stable environment where youth can see the power of caring relationships in action.

Currently, the children we serve across Saline County often face significant challenges:

Many come from single-parent households or live in poverty.
A majority qualify for free or reduced lunches.
Without intervention, these youth remain at higher risk for teen pregnancy, substance use, and dropping out of high school.

While these facts highlight a major, ongoing need for our services, the reality is that the demand for our program consistently outweighs our available resources.

Our Commitment to Excellence

To ensure the safety and success of every child, our volunteers undergo rigorous screening and professional training. Once a match is made, our trained staff provide continuous oversight and support to ensure the relationship thrives. For many of these children, their Big may be their primary source of stability and a glimpse into a brighter future.

How Your Gift Makes a Difference

Your investment is more critical now than ever. Funding directly helps us:

Enroll and match more youth currently on our waiting list.
Expand our community and school-based programming.
Provide the professional support needed to keep our matches strong for years to come.

Together, we can defend the potential of every child in Salina.

Mission

Our Mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

Our Vision is All Youth achieve their full potential.

By placing a caring adult mentor in the life of a child, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina creates safe, quality relationships that help vulnerable youth beat the odds and reach their full potential through personal and academic achievement.

Profile

Current programs hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina

Beyond School Walls-

Beyond School Walls is a program aimed at developing the next generation of employees through one-to-one mentoring relationships. The program, which is part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s national initiative, launched in 2022 in partnership with Vortex, Great Plains Manufacturing, YMCA, the Salina Chamber of Commerce and Salina Public Schools.

Across the globe, about 40% of employers find it difficult to recruit people with the skills they need for their businesses. Mentoring can be an integral part of the solution in both better preparing youth for high-demand careers and offering employers a means of engaging and retaining their talented staff.

Beyond School Walls addresses the challenges of preparing youth for post-high school success. Typically, students (called ‘Little Brothers’ or ‘Little Sisters’) from a local high school, spend time with their mentor (called a ‘Big Brother’ or ‘Big Sister’) onsite at a local business. The Littles have an opportunity to visit a professional workplace setting, and learn about different career opportunities, from financial literacy to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), while developing meaningful relationships with the employee “Big.”

Corporate Bigs-

Corporate Bigs is a program aimed to create impactful, positive friendships that help children build greater self-confidence and reach their potential, while engaging with a child in their school environment. The program launched in 2022 in partnership with Bennington State Bank and Salina Public Schools. The program has since expanded to include Schwan's, American Family Insurance-Jeff Wells Agency and Salina Family YMCA.

As a Corporate Big, employees (called a ‘Big Brother’ or ‘Big Sister’) are matched one-to-one to a child (called ‘Little Brothers’ or ‘Little Sisters’) from a local elementary school and spend time together, once per week, at school.

Throughout the school year, these Bigs and Littles will spend one-to-one time together during a day that best fits their schedule. It allows Bigs and Littles individualized time and attention on a consistent basis, with the venue being the child’s school.

Matches in the Corporate Bigs program eat lunch together, have fun at recess, assist with school work, or just catch up all while building a positive friendship.

Community Based Matches-

The community based program matches an adult volunteer to a child, between the ages of 7-17. Together, they share in everyday activities and simple outings a few hours a month. The Big and Little may enjoy activities such as going to the park, going on a bike ride, attending community events, learning life skills or visiting area businesses. During these special outings, Bigs help cultivate relationships that provide their Little with skills to manage every day challenges. Through simple friendships, Bigs experience the joy of helping their Little discover a world of possibilities and opportunities. A friendship will be built that may change your life and a child's life forever.

School Based -

Through school based mentoring, High school Bigs offer Littles individualized time and attention on a consistent basis, with the venue being the child’s school rather than the community. Teachers identify those children who can most benefit from an additional caring high school student in their lives. Bigs and Littles meet regularly during the school year, typically each week. Whether they play board games or work on homework, their relationship promotes a positive school experience for the child: good attendance, positive peer and adult relationships, a positive attitude, and academic enrichment.

Match Madness funding helps BBBS of Salina grow and expand the impact of mentoring in the lives of youth of our community now and for years to come.