Big Brothers Big Sisters is committed to bringing the power of mentoring to youth from traditionally underserved communities. Through the following specially designed programs, we are able to target specific populations and communities.

Project Hope - Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents

Research shows that 70 percent of children of incarcerated parents will themselves at some point be incarcerated – unless they have positive adult intervention.That is why mentoring children of prisoners is a key component of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ goal to reach more kids, especially those who may face significant risk factors.

Project Hope is specifically targeted to mentoring children who have an incarcerated parent in a state or federal prison. The program matches each child, ages 4-18, with a positive adult mentor who spends quality, one to one time with them on a consistent basis. These children have suffered many losses in their young lives and are in need of a committed adult role model.

Hispanic Mentoring Initiative

Latinos make up about 14 percent of the nation’s population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. More than one-third of all Hispanics in the United States are under age 18. Over one-quarter of Hispanic children under 18 in the U.S. live in poverty.

We are committed to serving the needs of Hispanic children and families across the country. The Hispanic Mentoring Initiative continues the Big Brothers Big Sisters tradition of outreach to all at-risk youth by emphasizing the connection with Hispanic communities and the recruitment of Latino volunteers and Littles.

Foster Youth Mentoring Program

The Foster Youth Mentoring Program helps foster youth reach both academic and personal goals and teaches them skills for living on their own once they reach age eighteen. At that age, foster youth exit from the foster care system and are on their own, without a safety net. Adult volunteers make a minimum of a one year commitment to meet weekly with their assigned youth. By making that weekly visit, volunteers instill the message that someone cares, and teach their matches that they can and should care about themselves and their future.

Awakening Minds - Changing Paths

This project matches adult volunteers with middle school youth in Oxnard who are experiencing difficulty in being successful in school. Mentors are matched one-to-one with youth to expose them to new experiences, to help motivate the youth academically, and to be their special friend in guiding the youth towards making good decisions and avoiding risky behaviors. In addition, in this project high school mentors are matched with the younger siblings of the youth in site-based programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard & Port Hueneme. The high school mentors share one-to-one time with the children to assist them with homework, to engage with them in arts and crafts and recreational projects and to be their special friend.

Volunteer now » 
More information about volunteering »