Positive Programs For Youth Development

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward is a mentorship organization in South Florida commitment to positive youth development. Since its founding in 1904, BBBS of America has been dedicated to youth development. Today, BBBS of America has over 230 agencies in all 50 states and 12 countries and helps an average of 400,000 youth every year.

Defining Positive Youth Development

What is a youth development program? When nonprofits, schools, and parental organizations refer to youth development programs, they’re referring to intentional programs aimed toward supporting children so they prepare them to be successful adults. But it doesn’t stop there. Youth development programs typically follow five principles (1).

Strengths-based frameworks: Positive youth development programs are based on children’s strengths, rather than on, say, their environments or or their challenges. That’s not to say that parents, teachers and adult mentors shouldn’t consider environments and challenges. Positive youth development is part of the overall approach to helping kids do better in school, stay out of trouble, and think about their futures. Youth development programs tend to focus on finding children’s strengths and building on them, so they feel self-confidence and motivated to succeed.

Research-based methodologies: Positive youth development programs tend to be based on scholarly or academic research. In other words, the programs are based on principles that have been found to be successful. A great example is the mentorship approach of BBBS. Our mentor statistics speak for themselves: Youths who are matched with mentors in the BBBS programs tend to have lower reports of substance abuse and lower drop-out rates.

Access to programs: Not only are youth development programs based on research and building on youths’ strengths, but they are also supportive of helping youth, family, teachers and mentors find and get access to programs and environments that support them.

Meeting basic needs: Building on the previous principle of access to positive programs, youth development programs work best when children’s basic needs are met. When a child’s basic needs for food, clothing, shelter are met, they’re more likely to do better in youth development programs. So, while the youth development program itself might not focus on meeting those needs (as, say, a local child welfare program might), the youth development program is an excellent partner program that builds on the child’s development.

Include youth voices: When children are involved in their own development programs, their needs and self-esteem have the potential to soar. Children who are given a voice in their future are more likely to participate enthusiastically in youth development programs.

Youth Development Program Outcomes

BBBS of Broward’s youth development mentorship programs are focused on helping young people:

Strengthen their senses of identity
Learn to self-regulate, especially if they have a history of acting out
Choose to make good decisions
Feel empowered to find their own voices
Find a sense of belonging
Reduce problem behaviors
Do better in school
Avoid the juvenile justice system

Littles who participate in BBBS programs have been found to be (2):

52% less likely to skip school and 37% less like to skip a class
46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
27% less likely to begin using alcohol
33% less likely to hit someone

Positive Youth Development Programs in Broward County

Programs That Improve Academic Success

Children with positive adult mentors do better in school. BBBS of Broward has two programs that focus on academic success: School to Work Workplace Mentoring and School-Based Volunteer Mentor Programs. Additionally, BBBS coordinates site-based mentorships where Bigs meet with their Littles every week at a specific day, time, and location. Often, the site-based mentorships meet at schools during the child’s lunch period or non-classroom time.

Talk to one of our program specialists about youth development for Bigs and Littles.

Programs that Encourage Positive Social Behavior

Young people who struggle with positive social behaviors do well in the Big Brothers Big Sisters programs, especially when they’re paired with mentors who can relate to or empathize with the struggles that today’s kids face. One study of BBBS Littles showed that kids who went through the BBBS program were less likely to start fights with other kids. The more children are exposed to positive role models and situations where they learn to regulate their reactions, the better they do in adulthood.

Programs that Facilitate Parental and Peer Relationship Building

BBBS of Broward is a great resource for families to find support and programs and resources that help children and families. We update our Resources for Broward Families page regularly, and your program specialist is also an excellent resource to finding social services and community support.

We encourage Bigs and their Littles to attend BBBS of Broward events, where you can meet other matches. BBBS of Broward has long been a favorite cause of local businesses and entertainment venues, so we often get free or reduced passes for events at the zoo, museums, parks, cultural centers and sporting events. BBBS of Broward’s program specialists are great resources for finding things to do and connecting with other bigs. You can also check out our activities calendar.

Program Type

BBBS of Broward offers two general types of positive youth development programs: Site based and community based mentoring programs.

Site based mentoring: Bigs in the site-based mentoring programs are matched with Littles. They meet weekly, typically, on the same day, time and place (at school, library, community center) where they do fun activities like play board games, make crafts, and talk and connect. The site-based programs are excellent for adults who are new to Big Brothers Big Sisters or who have busy lives.

Community-based mentoring: Community-based matches are the foundational youth development programs on which Big Brothers Big Sisters of America was founded. An adult mentor (“Big”) who’s passed a background check, interview and training is matched with a Little, and they get together three to four times a month for fun outings. Learn more about community-based matches.

Ages Served

Littles supported by the BBBS of Broward programs range in age from 6 to 18, although a small percentage (5%) may be 19 or older, if they are still in school. Nationally, children in the 11 to 14 age group make up the largest percentage of Littles. (2)

How old are our Bigs? We get asked that a lot. Nationally, the largest age group is 30 to 39. There is no upper age limit for being a Big. We do have some high schoolers who are Bigs in our site-based school-based mentoring program.

Diversity and Inclusion

BBBS of America’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) was created to recognize, affirm and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of the families, volunteers, donors, and staff. You can read more about the BBBS commitment to serving all genders, races, faiths, incomes, nationalities and abilities.

The national organization is certified by Blueprints for healthy youth development for their capacity to delay or reduce antisocial behaviors; improve academic success, attitudes and behaviors; support peer and family relationships; strengthen self-confidence and self-esteem; and provide social and cultural enrichment.

Sources:

(1) Positive Psychology; Positive Youth Development: Best Activities & Training Programs; 2022 November 19; accessed 2023 August 21.

(2) BBBS of America; Big Impact — Proven Results; accessed 2023 August 21.

ONLINE APPLICATION

Ready to enroll your child? Just fill out our simple online application. After you complete it, a Big Brothers Big Sisters staff member will contact you shortly.