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Traditional Program - Adult female mentors are matched with
girls ages 7-15. Big Sisters are at least 19 years old and
dedicate at least one year to a child.
School-Based Mentoring Program - High school junior and
senior girls are paired with elementary or middle school girls in their
local school system.
Cool Kids Program - Big Sisters of Rhode Island has received a three
year federal grant from the Dept of Health & Human Services to provide Big
Sister mentors to girls whose parent(s) is currently incarcerated. The
girls range in age from 4 to 18 years old are from all statewide areas. If interested in this program, please
call 921-2434 and one of our Program Coordinators will provide you more information.
Hermana a Hermana Program -
Our new Programa de Hermana a Hermana (Sister to Sister), a one-to-one mentoring program for Latina girls ages 7 – 15, will serve all of Rhode Island.
Programa de Hermanas a Hermanas seeks to help Latina girls make academic gains and avoid risky behaviors -- such as substance abuse, violence, and early sexual activity -- to enable them to grow into strong confident young women.
The new program will allow us to expand and broaden our services, and to be more inclusive of Latina girls, covering a wider age range and geographical area.
Please contact Diana Wilkins at ext. 106 or Karen Gager
ext. 104 for more information.
Life Choices Program - Educational/support groups, led by Big
Sisters' professional staff, for girls in middle school grades exploring
issues such as peer pressure, friendship, values, decision-making
skills, sexuality, drug and alcohol prevention, etc.
College Programs - Traditional one-to-one matches are tailored
to the needs of college student Big Sister volunteers.
Respect Integrity Tolerance Success / RITS 4 Women -
Big Sisters of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Training School, Girls'
Unit are conducting a pilot conflict management training of trainers
program. See flyer for details. This program is funded and supported by
the RI Juvenile Justice Commission. See flyer.
Who are Big Sisters?
A Big Sister is, foremost, a friend to a child. She shares
everyday activities, expands horizons and experiences the joy in even
the simplest events. A Big Sister is a responsible woman who wants
to spend time and have fun with a girl who needs an adult friend.
Big Sisters are carefully screened, trained and paired with a
child. Throughout the match, the Big Sister staff of professional
case managers supports the volunteer and maintains contact with the
Little Sister and her family to make the most of this special one-to-one
relationship
A Big Sister can change the odds for a young girl by sharing her
wisdom and experiences, and more, she just might discover a change in
herself!
"A Big Sister is someone like you!"
Who are Little Sisters?
Whether referred to Big Sisters by a social worker, teacher, parent
or family friend, the girls that become Little Sisters are between the
ages of 7 and 15. They can remain in our program until age 18 or
graduation from high school.
Although most girls in the program have at least one parent at home,
some are overburdened with adult responsibilities, shy or withdrawn,
doing poorly in school, or are not receiving enough individual attention
from someone who will listen.
Whatever the case, Little Sisters are girls who can benefit from the
special attention and friendship a Big Sister can provide. A Big
Sister can help her Little Sister believe in herself and explore choices
and options in her life.
The results are in!
An independent 1995 study by Public/Private Ventures for Big Brothers
Big Sisters of America, confirms that a girl who is matched with a Big
Sister for just a year is:
- 46% less likely to start using drugs
- 27% less likely to start drinking
- 33% less likely to resort to violence
- 52% less likely to skip school
She also gets better grades and
has better relationships with parents and peers.
Our volunteers
consistently say that being a Big Sister is as enjoyable and
fulfilling for them as it is for their Little Sister.
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