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Our Programs:
Big Brothers Big Sisters Core Program
Our traditional “core” program is a one
on one matching program. We match adult volunteers with kids ages 4-18.
These matches are made based on compatibility between adult and child. It
only takes two to three hours a week to bring magic into the life of a
“Little”. There is flexibility to allow for different schedules and life
challenges because this is a program with the emphasis on PEOPLE.
High
School Mentoring Program
A program that matches high school mentors
one on one with elementary aged kids. These friendships are based
on-campus with a tutorial focus, but there are also times to chat, play
tetherball and create you own activity ideas. Matches are based on
personality traits and basic compatibility. Each match lasts for the
duration of the school year.
Que Onda – What’s Up
Year-round, middle and high school age youth may participate in the
Que Onda – What’s Up prevention and intervention activities funded by
our Title II grant, local donations and some asset forfeiture funding.
BBBS coordinates staff from Mendocino County Youth Project,
Alcohol/Other Drug Programs and the Fort Bragg Police Department to
plan, staff and lead activities such as cooking, hiking, art,
noncompetitive games, prevention groups, and teen peer court trainings
at no cost to Fort Bragg area youth. The summer of 2009 culminated in a
large (60+) group trip to Six Flags amusement park as a reward to those
who had consistently participated in Que Onda activities.
The current activity schedule can be
accessed here. Registration forms are available at
our Coast Office, 498 N. McPherson Street, Fort Bragg.
Friday Night Live (Ukiah)
In Friday Night Live (FNL), high school-aged youth act as mentors and
tutors to middle school students. FNL mentoring activities provide
opportunities for young people to engage in ongoing, mutually
beneficial, caring relationships which strengthen them to face today's
challenges.
FNL Mentoring Programs:
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Introduce young
people to the concept of volunteerism
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Encourage young
people to develop programs that are fun and meaningful
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Promote messages
through shared experiences
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Encourage
peer-oriented programming (youth driven and youth led)
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Develops skills, such
as communication, team work, and active listening
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Encourage and empower
young people as active leaders and community resources
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Encourage youth to
engage in mutually beneficial relationships with peers and younger
youth
Story Book Project (Ukiah)
Community volunteers work with parents in jail to help them reconnect
with their children, by helping the parents to choose and read a
children’s book on CD. The CD and book are sent to the child.
Teen Peer Court
Teen Peer Court offers youth offenders a second chance, and provides
learning opportunities for many youth. Teens who have accepted
responsibility for an offense agree to be tried by their teen peers in
Teen Peer Court, which is convened monthly at the Ten Mile Justice
Center in Fort Bragg. All of the positions of the ‘court’ are held by
youth. While learning to work as prosecutors, defense attorneys and jury
members, teens receive mentoring from adult lawyers. All defendants are
required to participate in at least two future Teen Peer Court juries.
There are a variety of other possible sentencing options, including drug
and alcohol counseling, community service and education about topics
such anger management.
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