Mentoring program for Ames High School female identifying students.

A program designed for senior volunteers (55+) to help children and special needs children with pre-reading and reading skills, homework, play games or share stories.

Academic advising assists students in developing career goals and educational plans, including program and course selection and transfer planning. The Learning and Writing Center provides services to all students free of charge. Instructors offer individual or small group assistance to students for coursework while developing reading, writing, vocabulary, math, science, speech and study skills. Disability services provides access, accommodations and advocacy for students with disabilities; this includes accessible textbooks, additional time on exams, sign language interpreters and mobility assistance. Resources are also available for students to develop study and time management skills. Counseling services are offered to students to assist with academic or personal concerns. Counselors also assist students with referrals to community resources.

The PALS program pairs Luther College students with area elementary and middle-school students to provide one-on-one relationships between the student volunteers and children ages 5 to 15 who would like or need companionship. Children with special needs are matched first (i.e. disabilities, single parent households). The volunteers meet with their child at least once each month and a group recreational activity is scheduled monthly.

Provides youth, K-12 grades, with a mentor.

A school based mentoring program for elementary age students. Volunteers meet with a child over their lunch hour at least twice a month for one year. During the visit, matches have time to eat and talk, work on homework or play games together.

Mentoring program includes skills mastery, character building, and fun, plus individualized attention from trained adults who serve as role models.

Matches adult volunteers with children who need a supportive adult in their life. The program recruits men and women who are willing to make a commitment to a child for at least one year. Volunteers spend 4 hours a month with a child, participating in activities of their choice throughout the community (going to the zoo, playing catch, or taking a walk). Staff members evaluate prospective volunteers for the qualities necessary to contribute to the healthy development of the child. A child is matched with a volunteer big brother, big sister, couple or family according to the child's needs and the capabilities of the volunteer(s). Following the match, supervision is provided by the professional staff to assist the big brother, sister, couple or family in developing a strong positive relationship with the child.

SCHOOL BASED MENTORING offers adult volunteers the opportunity to meet with a child in their school for one hour a week during the school year. During that hour, the match spends time working on the child's schoolwork, talking, and quite simply, building a friendship. Children are referred to this program by school personnel with parental approval.

SCHOOL BASED PLUS MENTORING is an extension of our School Based Mentoring. After three months in School Based Mentoring can join this program. School Based Plus allows Bigs and Littles the opportunity to meet once a month outside the school setting. They are able to enjoy activities such as picinic at the park, going to sporting events, the movies, or any other activities they might enjoy together.

COMMUNITY BASED MENTORING allows individuals who are 18 or older to visit with a child twice a month for a minimum of 4 hours. Bigs spend time with their Littles participating in activities throughout the community. Whether its going to the zoo, playing catch, or just taking a walk, its a great chance to form a bond. The possibilities are endless for the growth of a new friendship. Community Based Mentoring also allows for Big Duo (two friends, co-workers, a husband and wife, etc.) or a Family Matches. Children are referred to this program by their parent or guardian.

Aims to provide adult mentoring relationships to facilitate a positive impact in the lives of the youth in the areas where it operates. This mentoring occurs strictly in the school system through weekly meetings.

Serves children ages 7-21 by matching them with a caring, positive adult role model. The child and mentor meet in the community and spend time doing different activities they both enjoy and/or interact on any video conferencing platform that is not observable by BBBS. The Big and Little commit to meeting for a minimum of 4 hours in 2-4 outings per month for a minimum of twelve months. Mentors can be a Big Brother, Big Sister or a Big Couple. (Married couple or 2 individuals in a committed relationship for 3 or more years who currently live together.)

The following programs are part of the Community Based Mentoring program and serve a specific population of children:

-- Juvenile Justice - Youth in this program have had some contact with the juvenile justice system (delinquency court appearance, parole intake or actual arrest) and can benefit from a friend and role model who helps guide them as they work towards making better choices.

-- Mentoring Children of Prisoners - The children in this program have one or both parents currently incarcerated. Bigs in this program can help just by being their friend and giving stability to that youth.

-- Latino Mentoring - Children in this program have Latino heritage and may have Spanish speaking parents, and may prefer a Spanish speaking mentor. These matches are supported by bilingual Big Brothers Big Sisters' staff members.

-- Foster Care - Youth in foster care placements have interpersonal, developmental challenges and are vulnerable as they transition into adulthood. These youth can benefit from a friend and role model who helps guide them as they work towards making healthy choices.

-- LGBTQ+ - The agency recognizes the unique challenges facing the youth of the LGBTQ community. 1-to-1 mentoring can help LGBTQ+ youth confront these challenges and promote positive personal and educational outcomes.

School-based mentoring program pairs adult volunteers one-to-one with students.

The Youth Mentoring Program connects one youth with one responsible adult who shares time and experiences offering friendship and support.

Services for individuals with disabilities. Includes information and referral, service coordination, independent living skills training, individual and system advocacy, equipment loan and rental, barrier removal consultations and grants, and disability awareness training. Assists people with disabilities to transition from nursing homes to community based living. Offers a personal assistant referral and management program. Peer mentoring. Mobility options equipment repair and sales.

Social development, social recreation, art, dance, drama, and physical education.

Education support (grades K-12) including tutoring and computer training. STEM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).

Career development (7-18 years), including non-traditional careers.

Family counseling

USDA Meal Program, nutrition education, gardening

Adolescent pregnancy 4-component prevention program for girls 9-18 years old.

Pathfinders Mentoring Program matches girls, ages 5-16, with professional women in the Omaha business community to work on academic and personal goals. Scholarships may be awarded at the end of the successful completion of high school and the Pathfinders program.

Transportation to programs.

Public school system.

Early childhood program.

Teammates program (Tom Osborne Program) provides mentoring.

Newcomers program assists adjustment of non-English proficient students.

Special education.

Works to find creative ways to respond to complex issues affecting young men and women and assist them in overcoming obstacles hindering their educational experiences. The academy provides youth with individual, group, and family counseling to address issues at school and at home, teaches students how to develop self-respect, respect for others, and personal accountability.

Mentoring program includes skills mastery, character building, and fun, plus individualized attention from trained adults who serve as role models.

Mentoring program for ages 7-13.

Mentoring program includes skills mastery, character building, and fun, plus individualized attention from trained adults who serve as role models.

Long term residential placement for youth 10-18 years of age. Outpatient substance abuse treatment and therapy services available for youth placed in the long-term residential program.

Behavioral health services for youth 5-18 years of age depending on the program or service.

Volunteer mentoring program for 3rd through 12th grade in math or reading skills.

Family preservation services in Iowa and Nebraska.

Educational programs for professionals working with youth.

Provides a support network for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Members meet regularly to share their ideas, build friendships, learn about services in the community and participate in advocacy activities. Additionally, dances, chili suppers, holiday celebrations and pizza parties provide opportunities for affordable socialization and community participation.

The community based program matches an adult with a child and share fun activities they both enjoy. We ask Community Based matches to spend 4 hours a month together for at least 1 calendar year.

After school and summer programs for girls. Tutoring, health and sexuality, leadership and life planning, self-reliance, life skills, sports and adventure.