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Vision and Mission Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada’s vision is a successful mentoring relationship for children who need and want one, contributing to brighter futures, better schools, and stronger communities for all. Its mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with measurable impact.

History The agency began serving the Northern Nevada community in June 2001. The planning group to begin the local community service, non-profit organization was composed of community members including staff and volunteers from Washoe County Juvenile Services and Washoe County School District. Leaders from the planning group approached Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada and convinced them to allow the northern Nevada group to become a branch operation of theirs, and thus the name was changed to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada. During the first four years, the northern Nevada branch served a growing number of children each year, with 125 served in the first year.

In July 2005, the northern Nevada branch became an independent agency, after receiving approval of the staff and board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The new agency incorporated and became tax exempt.

Although all children could benefit from a mentor, the local agency currently serves those children most vulnerable to life’s problems, by focusing on youth who are living in poverty and in a fractured family, such as single parent family or being raised by grandparents or someone else, or in foster care, or those who have an incarcerated parent or significant parent like figure. A new program, began in October 2009 in partnership with Washoe County Juvenile Services focuses on the siblings of children who have been involved with juvenile services for delinquency.

In 2009 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada served 930 children by providing them with a Big Brother or Big Sister mentor. Plans to serve significantly more children over time are in the agency’s strategic plan.

Service Area The local agency currently serves the communities of Washoe County, Douglas County and Carson City, Nevada.

Sources

External Links Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada website