Our Programs

As the pandemic continued to keep girls relatively isolated, we found creative ways to keep our Big and Little Sisters connected to each other. We fostered relationships in all of our programs with increased personalized guidance and support. We provided both virtual and COVID-safe in-person activities for Community-Based Mentoring Big and Little Sisters. When it was safe to do so and with caregiver permission, many of our matches met in person for the first time! And, we distributed 150 activity kits to Big and Little Sisters so they could try new experiences together virtually or inperson. Our Site-Based Big and Little Sisters met virtually to keep their connection strong during a time when they were unable to meet at Little Sister’s school or Big Sister’s workplace. We persisted in the face of another challenging year to keep girls connected.

COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING

Our largest one-to-one mentoring program matches girls between the ages of 7-15 with a Big Sister. These Little Sisters meet individually with their Big Sisters at a date and time of their choosing, and engage in low- to no-cost activities that can range from baking to basketball, watching movies to simply talking with each other. Big and Little Sisters commit to at least one year together, meeting weekly for the first three months and then twice per month. Matches in our CommunityBased program are matched for an average of nearly four years.

BIG FOR A DAY

Girls who are enrolled with us in CommunityBased Mentoring, but not yet matched with a Big Sister can participate in a monthly group activity with a Big for a Day volunteer led by our staff. Girls who are waiting to be matched are engaged with us from the start. We host many exciting programs for participants in Big for a Day including, yoga, self-defense, painting, engineering projects, and tennis.

Big and Little Sisters in our Big For A Day program learn self-defense skills with Boston Budo Big Sister Leslie and Little Sister Harmony enjoy virtual needlepoint. Big Sister Fakisha and Little Sister Jade “twinning” during one of their visits together.

Our Site-Based Mentoring programs take place in schools and community centers in Boston, Cambridge, and Quincy. Big and Little Sisters meet once a week during the school day or their after-school program, and commit to at least three academic semesters together, excluding summer break and school holidays. During visits they read books, learn new skills, work on projects of their mutual choosing, or engage in physical activities. Site-Based Mentoring creates a safe space for girls to have fun, learn, and grow alongside their Big Sisters during their busy school day. Our matches last an average of 24 months in our Site-Based program.

WORKPLACE MENTORING

Girls have the opportunity to think big about their futures in this program. Workplace Mentoring pairs employees at a company with Little Sisters from a local school. Little Sisters meet with their Big Sisters at the company’s office, providing a meaningful mentoring experience, and valuable career awareness for girls. During the pandemic, Workplace Mentoring matches have met virtually during Big Sisters’ work day under the supervision of our staff.

OUR PROCESS

This unique program takes place in Dorchester with teen students from Boston Latin Academy who mentor Little Sisters at the Trotter Innovation School. The teen Big Sisters also participate in our Girls Leadership Program (GLP) facilitated by our staff. The GLP provides girls with leadership training needed to have a positive impact on their schools and communities. Topics include conflict resolution, communication skills, and career exploration.

Little Sister Emerson “can’t wait to meet” her Big Sister Julie. She wants Julie to know she likes brownies, but doesn’t like to eat fish.

recruit

Big Sisters

interview

Big & Little Sisters

trAin Big Sisters

mAtch each individual pair

support with individualized guidance

Big Sister Berkis and Little Sister Karina connect with Workplace Mentoring intern Maria as they meet virtually. Big Sister Michelle and Little Sister Kennedi get to know each other during the 2017 program launch with Fidelity Investments.