Programs

Community-Based

  • The community-based program commitment is one year and requires 3-4 hours per week (12-15 hours per month).
  • Community-Based Mentors must be planning to stay in the Eugene/Springfield area for at least one year from the day they are matched.
  • Youth enrolled in the community-based program are impacted by incarceration in some way- either their neighborhood experiences a high rate of arrests or incarceration, or more directly within the youth’s family and/or household. Direct family impact of incarceration can include previous or current incarceration at the local, state or federal level.
  • Community-based youth range in age from 6-17.
  • Community-based matches focus their time 1:1 out in the community trying out different activities in the late afternoon, evening and weekend. Each pair determines their own schedule for getting together (through coordination with the youth’s family).  BBBS provides lots of ideas for things to do and free access for mentor pairs to places like the YMCA, the Downtown Athletic Club, 2 for 1 at Chipotle, as well as tickets to various local events. BBBS hosts two group activities per month for the community based program (typically 3rd Saturday afternoon) for all pairs.  These activities include things like snow shoeing, bowling, sailing, kayaking, sharing meals together and volunteering.
  • Community-based mentors are at least 18 years of age at match date.

School-Based

  • The school-based program commitment is for an academic school year.
  • The school-based program requires 1 hour per week (4-6 hours per month).
  • Youth enrolled in the school-based program have been identified by school personnel as a student that can benefit from some social and/or academic support in addition to what they receive at school.
  • School-based youth are elementary and middle-school age.
  • School-Based Mentors must be planning to stay in the Eugene/Springfield area for the academic year, with the exception being winter and spring breaks.
  • School-based matches focus their time 1:1 in the school environment during the youth’s lunch time, afternoon recess or non-core subject. Activities include games, arts & crafts, learning a new hobby like guitar or just hanging out and talking. The school-based mentors work with a liaison to determine the best time for the youth; but our hope is for pairs to pick one day each week to stick with. BBBS provides opportunities for school-based matches to participate in community events sponsored by BBBS.
  • School-based mentors are at least 18 years of age at match date.

HOPE

  • The HOPE program commitment is two years and requires 3-4 hours per week (12-15 hours per month).
  • HOPE Mentors must be planning to stay in the Eugene/Springfield area for at least two years from the day they are matched.
  • Teens enrolled in the HOPE program are currently in the Foster Care System and range in age from 13-17.
  • HOPE matches focus their time 1:1 out in the community trying out different activities during the late afternoon, evening and weekend. Each pair determines their own schedule for getting together (through coordination with the youth’s foster family).  BBBS provides lots of ideas for things to do and free access for mentor pairs to places like the YMCA, the Downtown Athletic Club, 2 for 1 at Chipotle, as well as tickets to various local events. BBBS hosts two group activities per month for the community based program (typically 3rd Saturday afternoon) for all pairs.  These activities include things like snow shoeing, bowling, sailing, kayaking, sharing meals together and volunteering.
  • BBBS provides opportunities for HOPE matches to participate in educational opportunities and training on topics such as financial management, independent living skills and information about college scholarships or vocational training.

Project Promise

  • Project Promise is a mentoring program which incorporates elements of positive youth development, provides safe and trusting relationships, proposes healthy messages about life and social behavior, offers guidance from positive role models, and increases positive educational outcomes.
  • Each mentor will spend one hour a week with 1 to 3 youth in our after-school or evening program. Site- based mentoring programs are held at specific locations such as schools, workplaces, churches, community centers or residential facilities.
  • Mentors and youth will be engaged in a number of fun activities that may include: reading, games, sports, music, arts and crafts, customs, language and traditions. This school-based program is partnering with the Eugene Police Department and collaborating with Bethel & Eugene 4J School Districts.

 

New Options Running Program

  • The New Options Running Program’s commitment begins each January and runs through the Fall.
  • New Options pairs mentors with young men in the Stepping Stone residential treatment program at the John Serbu youth campus on MLK Boulevard in Eugene.
  • The group of mentors and young men meet once per week 1:1 pursue athletic goals while forming long-lasting and strong relationships under BBBS supervision. There are also opportunities to attend group running practices and participate in approved outings in the community.
  • New Options mentors are at least 20 years of age at match date.
  • New Options pairs participate in a series of local road races benefiting other non-profit causes, like the CASA run, the HIV Alliance Walk & The Bridgeway House Run.
  • Due to the unique population of New Options’ young men, BBBS holds a supplemental training for New Options in addition to the general BBBS Mentor training. New Options operates as a cohort group model- although the matches are still 1:1.