Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Our program supports youth in their mental, physical and emotional health.
Funds would support our one-to-one mentoring which provides youth age 6-17 with a trusted, caring adult who will be there for them through any emotional highs or lows. BBBSEP also offers a sports mentoring element to increase physical activity in a fun and engaging group environment for Bigs and Littles to enjoy. Additionally, BBBSEP provides a unique Mental Health First Aid Training to parents, mentors and teens so that they may be better able to support and identify mental health warning signs in themselves and others.
For 23 years, BBBSEP has consistently monitored improved self-confidence in more than 90% of its mentored youth. They have reported a better sense of the future, improved attitude toward school, and stronger relationships with their peers. In addition, more than 85% consistently improved in academic performance and relationships with their family, and 99% of children always are promoted to the next grade and have no juvenile justice system involvement.
Our program objectives are to ensure children gain immediate and long-term benefits from being mentored by a Big Brother or Big Sister, decrease youth entering the juvenile justice system, strengthen current and engage in new volunteer relationships, increase our number of strong and enduring partnerships through community awareness.
Through this funding, BBBSEP will be able to:
1. Connect youth (ages 6-17) to one-to-one mentoring to create strong, trusting, and lasting relationships with their mentors.
2. Develop strong bonds between mentors and youth support structures (parents, families, teachers, etc.).
3. Recruit mentors who understand the pervasive social, economic, and cultural context of the target population.
4. Host activities for program participants (Littles, Bigs, and families).
Funds will also support training, matchmaking, case-management support, evaluation, & mentor-mentee coordination of family strengthening activities.
The GECU Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity established to maximize philanthropic efforts to benefit education, community programs and charitable giving. If you itemize deductions on your federal tax return, you may be entitled to claim your donation as a charitable deduction. Please consult your tax adviser.