Our Purpose

"The purpose of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County is to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth, primarily through a One to One relationship with a caring adult. The program is committed to assisting young people in achieving their highest potential as they grow to become confident, competent, and caring individuals by providing committed volunteers, professional support and supervision of the matches, outreach to families and enrichment opportunities in their communities."

These are our Program's guiding principles:

• Children need to feel that they are valued.

• Children need open, honest communication. They need opportunities to express their thoughts and feelings and receive thoughtful feedback.

• Children need role models for solving problems and ongoing personal growth.

• Children need the skills required for making good judgments. These grow from experience with making choices to an ability to make major life decisions.

• Children need to learn how to get what they need in appropriate ways. They need skills for working effectively with others in a variety of settings; school, family and community.

• Children need clearly defined limits since these provide dependable surroundings and boundaries within which to develop.

• Children need confidence that they have power and ability to affect what happens to them - some "say" in their lives.

• Children need community and a sense that they have value in and responsibility to that community. A sense of belonging can be built through sharing activities, traditions, rituals and responsibilities. It happens when struggle and growth are accepted, honored and celebrated.