Overview
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio (BBBSNWO) provides evidence-informed youth mentoring, prevention, and leadership development programs designed to promote positive mental health, social-emotional learning, and substance use prevention among children and adolescents. Our programs focus on early intervention and protective factor development by pairing youth with trained adult mentors and delivering structured group-based curricula in school, community, and summer program settings. Key program components include one-to-one mentoring, the Empowering Future Leaders (EFL) initiative, STEM and career exploration activities, Youth Ambassador leadership development, and classroom-based prevention programming. These services emphasize social-emotional learning (SEL), anti-bullying strategies, healthy decision-making, resilience, coping skills, and substance use prevention education. BBBSNWO does not provide clinical diagnosis or treatment for mental health or substance use disorders. When concerns are identified, staff follow established protocols to make referrals to licensed and certified mental health and substance use disorder treatment providers. All mentors and volunteers receive screening, training, and ongoing support to ensure safe, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate engagement with youth. Our programs serve youth across Northwestern Ohio, including underserved and at-risk populations, with the goal of reducing risk behaviors, strengthening protective factors, improving academic and social outcomes, and supporting long-term mental wellness.
Locations
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