Big Impact - Proven Results

Big Brothers Big Sisters believes we must hold ourselves accountable to the families, children, and mentors enrolled in our program. We must hold ourselves accountable to the donors, partners, and advocates who fund our work. That is why a commitment to continuous learning, improvement, and research is at the heart of what we do.

Continuous learning through technology

Our commitment to measurement, analysis, and improvement is so core to who we are that we have developed a unique, proprietary method of tracking the interactions between Bigs and Littles. Our performance management tool, called Matchforce, helps guide the decisions of our network of professionally trained staff members. Built to support Big Brothers Big Sisters, Matchforce provides the intelligence and data to continually improve our services to children.

Continuous learning through partnerships

Through the generous support of corporations, foundations, and donations, Big Brothers Big Sisters regularly participates in nationwide or local research opportunities.

Sources for Statewide and Comparative Data

The following are sources for the statewide and comparative data outlined in our 2024 Annual Report to the Community:

THE NEED

Youth Mental Health

Mentoring & Mental Health. (2021). Mentoring.org.

Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey. (2023). Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Academic Achievement in Relation to Risky Behaviors

Mentoring & Educational Outcomes. (2021). Mentoring.org.

Milwaukee by the Numbers. (2024). City Forward Collective.

Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey. (2023). Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Youth Risk Behavior Survey – High School. (Spring 2023). Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS).

PROGRAM EVALUATION

Big Brothers Big Sisters remains committed to data-driven appraisal and improvement of our programming. Our evaluation utilizes the evidence-based Outcomes Evaluation System (OES) from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, a system of rigorous tools and insights developed in conjunction with leading experts in the field of youth development. Our outcomes and impacts are monitored through four core components:

• The Youth Outcomes Survey (YOS) and the Child Outcomes Survey (COS) are scientifically proven evaluation tools that measure outcomes by using a pre- and post-test methodology. These are designed to track outcomes in the following areas: educational expectations, school connectedness, emotion regulation, social competence, family connectedness, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, goal setting, positive behaviors, risky behaviors, and the presence of very important adults.
• The Strength of Relationship Survey (SOR) measures the strength and quality of the connection between youth and volunteer mentors. Results direct staff to provide additional support and guidance to mentoring matches as needed.
• Risk and Protective Inventory (RPI) assesses the scope of needs and strengths of youth and families related to risk and protective factors. It was designed to assist agency staff in developing a strategy for intentionally addressing the needs of each child. Through use of the RPI, agencies have learned more about the youth and families that they serve, revealing the need for wraparound services and other targeted programming.
• Professional Case Management by Big Brothers Big Sisters staff who contact each youth, parent/guardian, and volunteer mentor (monthly in the first year of a mentoring match and quarterly thereafter) to discuss healthy relationship development, goal setting, individualized coaching, access to resources, and ensure youth protection and well-being.