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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Indian River County-JUMP Into Reading-CSAC of Indian River County
<br /> PROPOSAL NARRATIVE
<br /> Please respond to each question in the allotted space for each section. In responding to each section of
<br /> the proposal narrative, please retain the section-label and question that you are addressing. Do not
<br /> change the Times New Roman 12 pt. font or other settings. Directions, such as these, may be deleted
<br /> if space is needed, but again, do NOT delete the Section headers or the numbered questions
<br /> A. ORGANIZATION CAPABILITY (Entire Section A not to exceed one page. Box will
<br /> expand as you tune. )
<br /> 1 . Provide the mission statement and vision of your organization.
<br /> The mission of Brothers Big Sisters of Indian River County (BBBS) is to foster positive
<br /> mentoring relationships and bonding with caring adult volunteers so that children grow to be
<br /> capable, confident, productive, caring, responsible men and women who reach their full
<br /> potential. The agency's vision is to achieve the promise of mentoring through school, site and
<br /> community-based "matches" that build resiliency and literacy skills in children while combating
<br /> risky behaviors resulting in early educational failure, increased drop-out rates, substance abuse,
<br /> mental health issues, gang participation, early and persistent antisocial behavior, delinquency,
<br /> truancy and teen pregnancy.
<br /> 2. Provide a brief summary of your organization including areas of expertise,
<br /> accomplishments, and population served. BBBS is a structured mentoring program intended
<br /> to improve the capacity of children in Indian River County to succeed to adulthood in a safe,
<br /> healthy and productive manner. Each volunteer becomes a role model, friend, and mentor to
<br /> their "Little Brother" or "Little Sister". Prevention and early intervention services are provided
<br /> through community, schoottsite-based mentoring and family support services. Expertise in
<br /> volunteer recruitment, background screening, interviewing, assessment, training, matching, one-
<br /> to-one mentoring, case management, program evaluation, and counseling enables the Agency to
<br /> consistently meet their goals and objectives. Mentors undergo a careful screening process,
<br /> orientation and training prior to being matched. Thereafter, Case Managers provide ongoing
<br /> supervision and support. Matches meet weekly. Regular contact is maintained among the Case
<br /> Manager, volunteer, parent, and child. Goals are set for and by the children. All aspects of the
<br /> program are governed by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) Standards of Service.
<br /> These are nationally adopted, strict standards to ensure BBBS agencies are providing a quality
<br /> mentoring service. BBBS is outcome based and has been acknowledged for its ability to promote
<br /> bonding, healthy beliefs, clear standards, positive attitudes, life skills and academic results by
<br /> reputable researchers such as Public & Private Ventures and CTC Prevention Strategies: A
<br /> Research Guide to What Works. Our prevention program helps children achieve significant
<br /> outcomes with respect to grades, attendance, conduct and self-confidence. Big Brothers Big
<br /> Sisters has a track record of local, state and national success. Our agency was 1 of 10 selected
<br /> throughout the nation to participate in Bridgespan strategic planning. We were also recognized
<br /> in the top 35 performing agencies in the country out of more than 420. Volunteer Florida has just
<br /> completed a statewide study of mentoring outcomes indicating that BBBS clients in Florida have
<br /> shown marked improvement in reading and math along with significant increases in attendance
<br /> and large decreases in discipline referrals compared to non-mentored students (Florida State
<br /> University, 2003 , 2004, 2005, 2006). Our target client population is diverse and inclusive serving
<br /> students, countywide, ages 6- 18 from varied ethnic backgrounds. This year, the agency has
<br /> expanded to include a "Children of Prisoners" (COP) program targeting children whose parents
<br /> are incarcerated in State or Federal prison.
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