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This year could be the best year you have ever had!
What was last year like? How did your investments pay out? How do feel about the time you spent?
How would you like to do better this year? How would you like to say "I had a great year."?
You can...
Just think about it; with out spending a dime, you could impact a child or adults life just by spending...time.
That's right, your time is one of the most precious gifts you could offer.
Just by listening to someone share their story, you empower their existance. This year, be the friend that others have been to you.
You are amazing. There is no doubt! You made it this far. You made an effort. That's more than most people do.
Now make the difference and apply or donate today and help us offer hope and meet the needs of young people and adults today.
Giving in this capacity, will allow you to look back this following year and say "I gave more than ever before", and with that you will have created a better life by investing in others.
Chances are they will have a return on investment that it nothing short of amazing. Check out the research: A 40-year study found that nearly 70% of the kids living in the worst conditions are able to thrive nevertheless, if they are emotionally connected to some adult and within a community (Werner, 1989). Child Trends (February, 2002) reviewed studies of ten youth mentoring programs, including both national and locally based programs. Their review compares youth randomly assigned to a mentoring program with a group of similar youth who were not assigned. They found youth participating in mentoring relationships were: - 50% more likely to have fewer absences from school;
- more likely to attend college;
- placed a higher value on school;
- 46% less likely to initiate drug use (minority youth were 70% less likely);
- 27% less likely to initiate alcohol use;
- committed fewer misdemeanors and felonies after program participation;
- 33% less likely to hit someone;
- had more positive attitudes toward the future, the elderly, and toward helping in general; and
- felt they trusted their parents more and communicated better with them.
Whitman College Center for Community Service The Big Brother Big Sister Study1 During 1992 and 1993, Public/Private Ventures, a Philadelphia-based national research organization, looked at 959 boys and girls, ages 10 to 16, through Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in Phoenix, Ariz.; Wichita, Kan.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Rochester, N.Y.; Columbus, Ohio; Philadelphia, Pa.; and Houston and San Antonio, Texas. The agencies were selected for their large size and geographic diversity.
Of the young people taking part in the study, more than 60 percent were boys, and more than 50 percent were minorities. Most came from low-income households, and many lived in families with histories of substance abuse and/or domestic violence. Approximately one-half of the children were matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister. The others were assigned to a waiting list (control group). The children were randomly assigned to one group or the other.
The matched children met with their Big Brothers or Big Sisters about three times a month for an average of one year.
Researchers interviewed the Littles, the children who were not matched, and their parents on two occasions: when they first applied for a Big Brother or Big Sister, and again 18 months later. The Results Researchers found that after 18 months of spending time with their Bigs, the Little Brothers and Little Sisters were: - 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
- 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- 52% less likely to skip school
- 37% less likely to skip a class
- more confident of their performance in schoolwork
- one-third less likely to hit someone
- getting along better with their families
1 Tierney, J.P., Grossman, J.B., and Resch, N.L. (1995) Making a Difference: An Impact Study of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Philadelphia: Public/Private Ventures These, along with many other studies prove that mentoring works. Now is the time to make history and mentor. That is our challenge to you, Take time, make history and Mentor.
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