Our Programs

So many ways to get started

African AmericanWe recognize how important it is for children to have additional positive adults in their lives — volunteers that understand their circumstances. That is why we’ve created the Big Brothers Big Sisters African American Mentoring Program.

African American Advisory Council

There are currently 2,818 children on the Big Brothers Big Sisters waitlist in Oregon and Southwest Washington; 446 of these children are African American. African American children need our community to join together and provide successful friendships for all African American children who need and want them.

 

In an effort to contribute to brighter futures, better schools and stronger communities for all, Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest formed the African American Advisory Council, which is comprised of members from the local African American community and its supporters, industries and sectors. The Council helps ensure our programmatic approaches are culturally relevant, strategic and sustainable for the future by participating in the following:

  • Develop effective strategies to recruit additional African American Big Brothers, Sisters and Couples
  • Review programmatic approaches for cultural competency
  • Develop strategies to increase the number of African American children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Assist with fund development and partnerships to lead to program sustainability
  • Serve as a Big Brothers Big Sisters advocate in the community 

Additional contributions can be made by helping to create a partnership with an African American organization or business.

Real men mentor

All African American children deserve a champion. Boys, in particular, are represented disproportionately on the Big Brothers Big Sisters waitlist and can wait up to three years to be matched. The problem is simple: More African American men are needed to become mentors.

You don’t need special skills to be a Big Brother. Simply spending time, participating in activities that you both enjoy and caring about your Little Brother can make an impact on a child’s life. In fact, being a Big Brother, Sister or Couple is a lot of fun, and many of our volunteers wish they had become a mentor sooner.

Become a Big Brother, Sister or Couple
Learn about Sports Buddies
Learn about the Community and School-Based Mentoring Program

To learn more about the African American Mentoring Program or the Advisory Council, please contact chabre.vickers@bbbsnorthwest.org.

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© 2012 Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest

Multnomah County Office (Headquarters): 1827 NE 44th Avenue, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97213, 503.249.4859
Clackamas County Office: 18654 Willamette Drive, West Linn, OR 97068, 503.742.2043
Cowlitz County Office: 1526 Commerce, Suite 200, Longview, WA 98632, 360.636.2765
Skamania County Office: PO Box 1383, Stevenson, WA 98648, 509.427.8904
Clark County Office: 205 E 11th Street, Suite 102, Vancouver, WA 98660, 360.891.8382
Washington County Office: 6700 SW 105th Avenue, Suite 212, Beaverton, OR 97008, 503.641.5240

After-hours emergency phone number: 503.267.2087


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