Designed to Prepare Scholars for Life BEYOND Graduation

WHAT:

Partnering with James Island Charter High School's (JICHS) Equity & Access Team, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry (BBBSL) has launched the BIG Beyond, a three-year curriculum-guided e-mentoring program designed to help prepare high potential African-American scholars for life BEYOND graduation. 

In the spring of each year, JICHS recommends to BBBSL a cohort of 25-30 rising sophomores for participation in the program.

HOW:

Scholars & Families

• Each spring, BBBSL reaches out to BIG Beyond scholar candidates and sets up a family interview with the scholar and their parent/guardian
• All candidates who say YES to the program are enrolled in the BIG Beyond JICHS advisory cohort
• Every other Wednesday from 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM, mentors and scholars engage virtually in structured sessions on key topics
• During off-week advisory sessions, scholars engage with their advisor who reinforces concepts introduced during mentoring sessions
• Quarterly, mentors, scholars, and scholar families gather in person on a Saturday to socialize, have fun, and learn
• If your child is interested in participating, please reach out to Assistant Principal, Archie Temoney or ADRIANE@BBBSLOWCOUNTRY.ORG

Mentors

• Send an email to our BIG Beyond Career & College Readiness coordinator:  ADRIANE@BBBSLOWCOUNTRY.ORG
• Complete a scheduled 90-minute virtual interview
• Complete your background check
• Provide us with personal and professional references
• Complete 90-minute online pre-match training
• Complete a 90-minute Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion virtual training within first 60 days of being matched
• Attend e-mentoring sessions from 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM every other Wednesday

Role models make an impact

Studies show that children who have role models are more likely to improve in school and in their relationships with family and friends, and less likely to skip school or use illegal drugs or alcohol. Students who are successful in school are less likely to drop out, abuse drugs, or commit crimes.

The simple truth is: the more positive examples, education or opportunities young people have in their lives, the more chances they have to succeed in today's world as providers, protectors and mentors to their own children and community.

Community-based mentoring is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters relationship, where Bigs and Littles get together on their own to share fun activities they both enjoy. Bigs are first introduced to the child and parent or guardian in a pre-match meeting, which is set by the case manager who is always on hand and will be there to help during the match. Bigs and Littles plan the outings together based on mutual interests and to help the child achieve greater self-confidence and awareness.

The Community-based program allows a great deal of flexibility in meeting at the time, place and frequency that meets the schedules of the Big and Little. On average, this is generally twice a month, for two or three hours at a time. There's almost no one so busy that they can't find a way to fit in a few hours a month.

Getting together is a great time for both the Big and the Little. It doesn't require a special occasion or expensive activities. Additionally, there are numerous agency-sponsored events offered to our Bigs and Littles throughout the year such as picnics, fishing or tickets to sports or other cultural events.

National and local studies show that children who have role models are more likely to improve in school and in their relationships with family and friends, and less likely to skip school or use illegal drugs or alcohol. Students who are successful in school are less likely to drop out, abuse drugs or commit crimes. In fact, the success of children enrolled in Big Brothers Big Sisters was proven in a nationwide randomized study.