Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters Will Now Aim to Serve Young People Graduating from High School and Exploring Career Opportunities
Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters (YBBBS) creates and professionally supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the promise in our local youth.
Arlene and Kloe’s match demonstrates the mission well. Matched for more than five years and still going strong, the pair celebrated Kloe’s high school graduation in May 2022, along with nine other graduating Little Brothers and Sisters from the agency.
To further the mission to meet the growing needs of Yavapai County’s youth, YBBBS is expanding its program to serve youth up to age 24. This will include engaging existing and future Big/Little matches in the development of life skills and pathways for college and career, as well as college and career planning guidance and on-the-job technical skill development through employment and internship opportunities.
For example, Kloe is the recipient of the Massie Scholarship to Yavapai College and Arlene plans to stay by her side as Kloe adjusts to college life and starts to explore career options.
“We know we need to provide more support to strengthen match relationships and to equip our youth with the skills they need to thrive so they can graduate high school and obtain post-secondary or career opportunities,” said Erin Mabery, YBBBS Executive Director. “As a result, these youth can become self-sufficient adults, transforming their own lives and changing the trajectory for future generations.”
To facilitate the expansion, YBBBS recently hired Jeff Lorig as Program Director. Lorig and his team will spearhead the program enhancement. He said, “Positive mentoring relationships are what have shaped me and continue to shape me to reach my fullest potential.”
Learn more about YBBBS at azbigs.org.