Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County

CONTACT:

116 Federal St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
413-772-0915
www.bbbs-fc.org/

Kay Johnson, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

This "Sister to Sister" Program applies the tried-and-true strategy of Big Brothers/Big Sisters nationwide to preventing teen pregnancy--and it works. Every year, a group of 37 highly at-risk girls is helped by Sister to Sister. Moreover, many of them have shown dramatic improvement in other pivotal areas of their lives as well: schoolwork, informal education, family and social relations, and personal skills.

All Big Sisters, ages 21 and older, commit to spending 3-5 hours weekly in one-to-one esteem-building activities with their Little Sisters, guided by continuous agency supervision. "Big Sisters guide, love, and lead their Little Sisters through the diverse conflicts that adolescence presents, and help them become confident and productive citizens." Commitments are for one year at a time, renewable for as long as both parties are agreeable and able. One sign of success is that 73% renew for a second year, and over 50% renew several times. In 1996 the "Bigs" contributed 3,576 hours of 1-on-1 activity to helping their "Littles".

Supplementary programs include: Family Planning workshops and presentations on sexuality, conflict-resolution training, self-defense for women and girls, career exploration, and other group events: sports, college tours, kayaking, whalewatching, and a trip to Boston.

Based on this outstanding track record, this Program now needs your help to grow to meet its demand.

(1997: HUMAN SERVICES: Girls and Women: General)