Mentorship Blog

This time of year is when we reflect on what and who we are thankful for. Here at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest, we are grateful for all of our volunteers who make it possible to serve the youth in our community. And we would like to

Youth today face bullying in many forms. "Bullying is intentional tormenting in physical, verbal, or psychological ways. It can range from hitting, shoving, name-calling, threats, and mocking to extorting money and possessions. Some kids bully by shunning others and spreading rumors about them. Others use social media or electronic messaging

September is Big Brothers Big Sisters Month! Big Brothers Big Sisters Month recognizes the critical importance of mentoring relationships. Mentoring is more than volunteering your time, it is making a positive, lifelong difference in a child’s life. Why Mentoring Matters: Did you know that one in three kids in America

Back to School is right around the corner! Now is the time to commit to mentoring a child. Mentoring helps with school performance, self-confidence and stretches a child's thinking about their future.  Strapped for time yourself? We have two site-based programs that can fit into your busy schedule: MentorU and

We all know that mentoring has been proven to empower the potential of youth, but what makes a great mentor? In this TED Talk, teacher and internship program director, Kenneth Oritz, shares his thoughts on what is needed to develop successful mentor relationships to raise up the next generation of

For 40 years, Bowl for Kids’ Sake has been a hallmark fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters, nationally. Each year half a million people gather across America to bowl and raise money for BBBS mentoring programs. Through this effort, $20 million is raised, nationwide! What is BFKS? Bowl for Kids’

On May, 24, 2022, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America announced receipt of its largest gift ever received: $122.6 million from MacKenzie Scott. While Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest is not one of the 38 direct beneficiaries of this gift, this is yet another major validation for

Mentors know school isn’t just about classes and grades, it is about learning about yourself and how to navigate the world around you. The social aspect of school is very different than it used to be. Today, everything follows a kid home on social media, good and bad. Unfortunately, students

The first step to gaining self-esteem is to develop a sense of self and with so many messages from the media, peers, and family on how to be, it presents a real struggle for young people to understand who they are as a person. It is a common misconception amongst

Its Myth Buster time! A common myth about mentorship is the adult should have experienced a balanced or stable childhood to be a good role model for a youth today.    Who makes a good mentor?   Can the man who grew up in foster care be a mentor?  YES!  Can the

In our last blog, we talked about how mentoring helps families by teaching mentees life skills that can directly help in the home. In this installment we will look into how one-to-one youth mentoring helps the family dynamic via youth gaining self-esteem and avoiding risky behaviors. Often kids have a

It is well known that mentoring helps youth, but did you know that it can help families too? Kids want and need to learn about life, but sometimes the adults in their lives (including their teachers) are too tired and spread thin to take the time to teach them the