Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona (BBBSAZ) is the recent recipient of funding from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) and the NBA Foundation. These funds were awarded to support BBBSAZ’s Big Futures programming and increase engagement of BIPOC (black indigenous and people of color).
Our Big Futures Program augments service to high school aged youth and their mentors in an effort to better prepare them for transition into young adulthood. It provides enhanced support focusing on the students’ graduation and progression into college and career readiness. Matches in this program will be provided with resources and networking opportunities for financial aid, college admittance, and scholarship opportunities. Parents and mentors will be provided with resources and education on how to best support the youth in college and career readiness, and the youth will be focused on their academic success.
Matches in the Big Futures program are also supported post high school. The purpose is to offer guidance during this very transitional period and be a source for information and opportunity, filling a service gap that is often experienced by youth in this age group. We believe that by supporting mentors and being a resource to youth during their high school years, we can help them be more successful in their post-secondary school endeavors.
BBBSAZ is partnering with the Phoenix Suns and Alpha Phi Alpha in this initiative. Sun’s player, Cameron Payne is not only a constant advocate for mentoring but has also hosted multiple events with our Matches to give them unique opportunities to meet a local Hero. Such as chatting about sneakers over Thanksgiving dinner or being hosted at an exclusive meet and greet after a game.
BBBSAZ is also working with the Brothers of the Delta Tau Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to spread the power of mentorship. We are currently working together to find more BIPOC male mentors as well as supporting them in their projects such as “Go to School, go to College” and Project Alpha.