BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

Serving Lackawanna, Susquehanna, and Wayne Counties

Making a difference...one child at a time.

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THE NEED: There are many youth living in absent parent homes in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These children are "at-risk" of encountering problems as they grow up. These children have more trouble with school, both academically and behaviorally. The juvenile court authorities report these children account for many of the juvenile arrests. And the most recent census data shows that the number of children growing up in these circumstances continues to increase every year.

THE SOLUTION: Recreate the extended family. Big Brothers Big Sisters matches carefully screened adult volunteers with boys and girls ages 6 - 14 who are growing up in one of these difficult situations. The volunteers serve as friends and role models for at least one year. In many ways the relationships approximate the extended family.

Proven Effectiveness of Big Brothers Big Sisters:

In 1992 and 1993 some 959 boys and girls in eight states entered into a historic experiment. The children ranged in age from 10 through 16. Approximately half were matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister, while the others were assigned to a waiting list, or control group. On average, the matched children met with their Big Brother or Big Sister about three times a month for an average of one year. And the results? Researchers found that 18 months later, Little Brothers and Little Sisters were:

• 46 percent less likely to begin using illegal drugs
• 27 percent less likely to begin using alcohol
• 52 percent less likely to skip school
• 37 percent less likely to skip a class
• More confident of their performance in schoolwork
• One third less likely to hit someone and getting along better with their families

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