Be-A-Friend Program, Inc.

Be-A-Friend Program, Inc. is a non-profit organization registered in SAM.gov since 2006, located in Buffalo, New York. The organization operates as a corporate entity with tax-exempt status and is affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier. While specific details about its core mission are not explicitly stated in the provided documentation, the organization appears to focus on youth mentorship and community support services, particularly for vulnerable and at-risk populations.

Through federal grant awards, Be-A-Friend Program, Inc. has been involved in mentorship initiatives targeting children and youth facing complex social challenges. Its most recent significant award is a $400,000 three-year project grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), focused on providing mentoring services to 75 children ages 6-17 with incarcerated parents in Erie and Niagara counties. The organization has also participated in sub-grant awards with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Corporation, engaging in multiple mentorship programs addressing various social issues such as youth impacted by opioids, juvenile justice system involvement, and community support for underserved populations. These grant-funded programs typically involve creating mentoring relationships, providing family engagement services, offering wraparound support, and implementing strategies to reduce risk factors for youth delinquency, substance abuse, and social marginalization. The organization collaborates with partners like the Osborne Association to enhance the scope and effectiveness of its mentorship interventions.