Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Permian Basin

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Permian Basin, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships for youth in the Permian Basin area of Texas. It is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States[1][2].

History

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Permian Basin was founded in 1975 with the mission of helping young people reach their full potential. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services to include programs in Midland and Odessa. In 2018, the group expanded its reach to Odessa, launching programs at Blackshear Elementary School to address the growing demand for mentorship in the area[3].

Programs

The organization offers two primary mentoring programs:

• Community-Based Mentoring Program: This program focuses on developing long-term relationships between adult mentors ("Bigs") and children ("Littles") in a community setting.
• School-Based Mentoring Program: This program facilitates mentorship relationships within a school environment, providing support and guidance during the school day[3].

Impact

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Permian Basin has made significant strides in supporting youth development. By fostering positive relationships between mentors and mentees, the organization helps improve educational outcomes, social skills, and personal confidence among its participants. The mentorship programs are designed to match mentors and mentees based on backgrounds, interests, and personality traits, ensuring compatibility and meaningful connections[3].

Anniversaries and Milestones

In 2025, the organization is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of service to youth in the Permian Basin. This milestone includes the introduction of a new Executive Director and reflects the organization's recovery and growth following challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic[3].

Initiatives

One of the organization's notable initiatives is the annual "Little Depot" event. This event allows mentees to select Christmas gifts for their family members, supported by donations from local businesses and individuals. The event instills values of generosity and community service among participants[3].

Mission and Vision

While specific to the Permian Basin, the mission aligns with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's goal of creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. The vision is for all youth to achieve their full potential through these supportive relationships[1][2].

Economic Impact

Groundbreaking research supports the economic benefits of mentoring, including increased lifetime earnings and reduced socioeconomic disparities among mentored youth[5]. This aligns with the broader impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters programs across the United States[2].

[1] https://www.chapvolunteers.org/agency/detail/?agency_id=41568 [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Brothers_Big_Sisters_of_America [3] https://midlandtimes.com/stories/667397261-big-brothers-big-sisters-permian-basin-to-celebrate-50-years-of-empowering-youth [4] https://www.bbbs.org/about-us/ [5] https://bbbspermianbasin.org/about/