Advocacy is an important part of the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters to help children realize their full potential and build their futures. While creating one-to-one mentoring relationships that empower young people is at the core of our mission, we also must engage in the less visible aspects of supporting youth well-being by changing laws, regulations, and policies.
BBBSA’s approach to advocacy is based on decades of on-the-ground experience and policy expertise. Utilizing our deep understanding of mentoring and its central role in providing opportunities for youth and their families, we work to pass and reform policies and laws in a nonpartisan way.
There are many powerful reasons why BBBS should engage in advocacy. Here are 11 reasons why advocacy furthers the mission and goals of the organization:
- Policy Impact: By engaging in advocacy, BBBS can educate lawmakers and inform public policies and decisions at the local, state, and federal levels. This influence will lead to policies that benefit children and youth in need, ensuring they have access to quality mentoring programs and support services.
- Increased Government Resources: Advocacy efforts can help secure government funding and resources for BBBS programs. This financial support is essential for maintaining and expanding mentoring programs that positively impact the lives of children and families.
- Raise Awareness: BBBS agencies can raise awareness about the challenges facing at-risk youth and the positive outcomes that mentoring can achieve. It can highlight the importance of mentoring and encourage more individuals and organizations to get involved.
- Address Systemic Issues: BBBS advocates for policies that address systemic issues affecting children and families, such as career and workforce readiness, childhood trauma and mental health, and juvenile justice. By addressing these issues, BBBS can create a more supportive environment for the youth it serves.
- Equity and Inclusion: By engaging in advocacy, BBBS can focus on making mentoring opportunities more accessible and equitable, ensuring that underserved youth have equal access to mentoring support.
- Ensure Quality Standards: As the gold standard in youth safety, BBBS is uniquely positioned to help government agencies establish and maintain quality standards for mentoring programs. This ensures that children and youth receive effective and safe mentoring experiences.
- Long-Term Impact and Scale: By advocating for policies that support mentoring and youth development, BBBS can create lasting change that goes beyond individual mentoring relationships and benefits future generations. Advocacy efforts can also encourage the scaling of successful mentoring models, allowing more youth to benefit from these programs.
- Collaboration: Advocacy encourages collaboration among various stakeholders, including nonprofit organizations, government agencies, businesses, and communities. These partnerships can lead to more comprehensive and effective mentoring solutions.
- Youth Voice: Advocacy can empower young people to become advocates for their own needs and aspirations. It teaches them about civic engagement and helps them advocate for their communities and themselves.
- Position BBBS as a Thought Leader: By engaging in advocacy, we can position BBBS as a thought leader in youth mentoring by demonstrating our issue expertise and actively shaping policies and practices.
- Policy Expertise: BBBS staff and agency leaders are important advocates because their role in the community and work with youth and families means they are well-versed in the needs of constituents and can educate lawmakers on how they can best serve their communities.
BBBS cannot reach its vision that all youth achieve their full potential without engaging in advocacy to ensure that children and youth facing adversity have access to mentoring programs, support services, and policies that can positively impact their lives.
For more advocacy resources, explore the BBBSA Action Center, or visit the Advocacy page on BBBS Connect.