Neighborhood-Based Mentoring

We are excited to announce a new program!  Neighborhood-Based Mentoring is designed to expand mentoring services to girls who live in Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan.  Neighborhood-Based Mentoring (NBM) matches a middle-school aged girl with an adult female mentor. 

Matches will meet one-to-one for 90 minutes at Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School in Dorchester on Saturday afternoons. They will spend time building relationships, having fun together and getting to know other Big and Little Sisters at the site.  All will be supported by a Big Sister staff member. By meeting on site, Big Sisters do not need to transport their Little Sisters anywhere – they simply need to show up! 

Matches will have the opportunity to play games, do arts and crafts, or engage in physical activity while they get to know each other.  Our staff will be on site to provide guidance on any activities.  Matches are encouraged to bring their own ideas and games as well. Additionally, Big and Little Sisters will have the opportunity to participate in group activities to build a sense of community among all the matches.

Research demonstrates that Big and Little Sister relationships lasting one year or more have the most impact.  Therefore, we ask that Big Sisters commit to being matched for at least twelve months.  For the first two months, when the Big and Little Sister are establishing a strong relationship, visits are every Saturday and last about an hour and a half.  After the first two months, the match is expected to meet at least twice a month at the Lilla G. Frederick Middle School.  If a Big and Little Sister are interested in expanding their relationship, they may explore with program staff the option of off-site match visits after four months.

Neighborhood-Based Mentoring is open to women ages 18 and older.  Women who live in Dorchester and the surrounding neighborhoods are strongly encouraged to apply to mentor a girl from her own community!  For more information, please contact Sheena Collier at scollier@bigsister.orgor 617.236.8057.