ABOUT US
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts's (BBBSWM) mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of Youth.
In 2024, BBBS of Franklin County and BBBS of Hampden County (both agencies founded in 1967) merged to become BBBSWM. In addition, the agency also serves all of Berkshire County as well as the towns of Granby, MA and South Hadley. One of approximately 250 affiliates of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), meeting all required standards and procedures for full member status, BBBSWM is an independent 501C3 responsible for all fundraising, marketing, and administration locally.
For those looking to connect with services in Hampshire County, you can contact Center for Human Development's Big Brothers Big Sisters Program at (413) 478-8647 or via email at bbbshc@chd.org.
OUR IMPACT
Public/Private Ventures, an independent Philadelphia-based national research organization, looked at over 950 boys and girls from eight Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across the country selected for their large size and geographic diversity. This study is widely considered to be foundational to the mentoring field in general and to Big Brothers Big Sisters Community-Based program in particular.
Approximately half of the children were randomly chosen to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister. The others were assigned to a waiting list.
The matched children met with their Big Brothers or Big Sisters about three times a month for an average of one year.
Researchers surveyed both the matched and unmatched children, and their parents on two occasions: when they first applied for a Big Brother or Big Sister, and again 18 months later.
