Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Arkansas

Successful Mentoring Program ‘Changes Kids’ Lives’

The success of Big Brothers/Big Sisters is, to a large degree, immeasurable.

There’s no doubt the lives of many at-risk children have been turned around by the 350 adult mentors who volunteer their time to be positive role models to help those children achieve their full potential.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters was a pioneer in the field of adult mentors, and the organization is still reaching out.

The central Arkansas chapter headquartered in North Little Rock opened its first satellite program at Jack Robey Junior High School in Pine Bluff in 1999. Last year, with the help of new grants, it started school-based mentoring at two schools in North Little Rock.

The program, founded in 1968 by a group of five local churches in the Highland Park housing area, has expanded its outreach to 400 children a year.

And that number is still too small for executive director Linda Teer, who wants to expand to areas not served and increase the school-based mentoring program.

Therefore, the organization must diversify its funding to ensure more stability. Some years, it gets major gifts or grants, Teer said. But it’s hard to depend on grants because most of them are short term.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters is working to expand individual giving so it won’t have to focus on special events. It relies on gifts for 52 percent of its budget, which funds a staff of 15 and various programs.

By pioneering the mentoring model, the organization has had a huge impact on many youth-centered programs around the state. The central Arkansas chapter assisted in establishing Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of North-Central Arkansas.

The organization also set the standards for volunteer screening now used by other groups.

“It’s a program that changes kids’ lives,” Teer said.