BIG BROTHERS / BIG SISTERS OF SAN FRANCISCO and the PENINSULA, & BAY AREA
870 Market Street
Suite 928
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 693-7700
TTD (415) 693-7777
Click here to see current updated website at www.sf-bbbs.org
Other Bay area Agencies:
BB/BS of the East Bay
7700 Edgewater Drive - Suite 333
Oakland CA 94621-3019
(510)729-5050
BB/BS of Marin
1306 Third St.
San Rafael CA 94901
(415)453-3800
BB/BS of Santa Cruz County
523 7th Ave.
Santa Cruz CA 95062-3911
(408)464-8691
BB/BS of Sonoma County
2401 Coddingtown Center
PO Box 384
Santa Rosa CA 95402-0384
(707)542-1546
Big Brothers/Big Sisters is dedicated to providing culturally relevant programs and
vital support services that will enhance the educational and life experiences of
at-risk children and their families including; counseling/case management,
after school tutorials, recreational activities, and to helping these children
grow into responsible adults by establishing a one-to-one relationship
with a volunteer mentor who offers friendship, emotional support, guidance,
and companionship.
THE PROBLEM
Never before have so many children lived in single parent families (39,000 in San
Francisco alone) without a special friend to help them through the challenges
of growing up. Many withdrawn, angry or lonely children are prime candidates
for failure in school, juvenile crime, drug and/or alcohol abuse, and teen pregnancy.
Without adult encouragement and concern, some become victims of teen sucide.
THE PROGRAM
Big Brothers/Big Sisters is the oldest youth program in San Francisco based on
a long term, one-to-one friendship of an adult volunteer and a child who needs
extra attention.
The BB/BS of San Francisco helps over 300 children a year, most of whom enter
the program with low self-esteem, school and family problems and little enthusiasm
for the future. Many are from below-poverty income families. Some are "high risk"
children who have experienced abuse or been involved with juvenile court.
A BB/BS match provides each child with a positive adult role model and a caring
trusted companion with whom to explore career choices, to discuss critical questions
during times of confusion, and to share sorrows, fears, joys, and triumphs.
OUR SUCCESS RECORD
For 80 years, BB/BS friendships in the United States have touched the lives of
over two million children. Field studies document the effectiveness of this program. It can
prevent delinquency and emotional problems. It improves the self-image and positive
attitudes of participating children. Lonely children develop friends. Alienation from family
members diminishes. Moodiness gives way to playfulness and laughter. Without
question, having a Big Brother or Big Sister makes a significant difference in a
child's life.
Last year alone, children and volunteers in San Francisco spent over 60,000 valuable
hours together. .
We continue to see profound improvements in the lives of Little Brothers and
Sisters due to their relationships with our volunteer adults. These children gain
confidence and learn to care about themselves, their friends, their family and their
own future.
WE NEED YOU
The needs and numbers of children waiting for a match tremendously outstrip our
current resources. The BB/BS program is extremely cost effective in economic as
well as human terms considering the
$1000 cost of a match for one year as opposed to the $60,000 cost to maintain
a child in public correctional institution for one year. BB/BS relies on both
volunteers and financial support from our community to ensure the maintenance
as well as expansion of its program to serve the growing needs of San
Francisco's children. Please call (415) 693-7700 for further information.
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