Defending Potential for 60 Years

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region (BBBS Capital Region NY)

Established in New York's Capital Region in 1964 BBBS of Albany County merged with other local Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates in 1997 to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region. On average, we support mentoring relationships for approximately 500 youth each year. Since our founding, we have served thousands of Capital Region youth in supportive mentoring relationships.

While affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region is a regionally operated and funded 501(c)3 organization. We serve the Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties in New York State.

BBBSCR relies on well trained staff to carefully match dependable volunteers with children, and then work to sustain that positive relationship. Our long-term, professionally-guided one-to-one mentoring relationships provide ongoing support to our Bigs, Littles, and their families. That's what makes us different from other mentoring organizations. We don't just create the matches, we guide these matches through their complete journey.

We know that while talent is equally distributed, opportunity is not...

The children who participate in our programs face adversity at a higher rate than the average young person; 99% come from low-income homes, single-parent families, or have an incarcerated parent. One in five have suffered significant trauma, such as the loss of a parent. Over 70% identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).

Our research definitively proves that an investment of time by a stable, caring, adult role-model can empower children to realize their greatest potential. We are deeply committed to freeing children from systemic traps and fostering their long-term happiness and success.

Changing perspectives. Changing lives.

Since 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is incredible potential. As the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers ("Bigs") and children ("Littles"), ages 5 through young adulthood in communities across the country. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.

Mission

Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

Vision

All youth achieve their full potential.

Accountability

By partnering with parents/guardians, volunteers, and others in the community we are accountable for each child in our program achieving: (1) Higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships (2) Avoidance of risky behaviors (3) Educational success