BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE BBBS OF GREATER SACRAMENTO AREA, AN AFFILIATE OF THE BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA ORGANIZATION, WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1963 AND SERVES YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 8-18, FROM SACRAMENTO, YOLO AND PLACER COUNTIES. MOST PARTICIPANTS COME FROM SINGLE-PARENT HOUSEHOLDS OR CHILDREN THAT ARE BEING RAISED BY GRANDPARENTS OR FOSTER PARENTS. OVER 80% OF FAMILIES SERVED ARE AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. 28% OF THE CHILDREN HAVE NOT MET THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS AND 12% HAVE PARENTS THAT ARE INCARCERATED. DESPITE THEIR YOUNG AGE, THE YOUTH WE SERVE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING THAT IS WISE BEYOND THEIR YEARS. THEY'VE BEEN FORCED TO GROW UP TOO QUICKLY, WHICH CAN NEGATIVELY IMPACT THEIR VIEW OF THE WORLD AND THEMSELVES. AS THE NATION'S LARGEST DONOR AND VOLUNTEER SUPPORTED MENTORING NETWORK, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS PROVIDES CHILDREN FACING ADVERSITY WITH STRONG AND ENDURING PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS THAT CHANGE LIVES FOR THE BETTER. YOUTH IN OUR PROGRAM ARE MATCHED TO DE