Student mentoring & enrichment

The Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded a $250,000 project grant to the Big Sister Association, a non-profit organization, to fund a 6-month student mentoring and enrichment program in Boston from July to December 2023. The program aims to improve literacy and reduce juvenile delinquency among youth in high-need communities through the Innovative Approaches to Literacy, Promise Neighborhoods, and Full-Service Community Schools initiatives. Big Sister Association has also received subawards from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Corporation to provide mentoring services targeted at strengthening American Indian/Alaska Native youth relationships, reducing risk factors for vulnerable populations, and enhancing partnerships with local law enforcement for recruitment. These subaward programs have focused on impacts such as school engagement, substance use prevention, educational expectations, and reductions in risky behaviors.