HM Update
26 January 2010
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HISPANIC MENTORING UPDATE
Last updated: 26 January 2010
Hispanic Mentoring in Context
Hispanic Mentoring continues to grow in Big Brothers Big Sisters and has become one of the strongest BBBS programs. No longer regarded as an initiative or a satellite program, Hispanic Mentoring is rather a fully-integrated and -aligned strategic emphasis within the goals and operations of our network.
Hispanic Mentoring Vision & Strategy
Originally developed based on the existing practices and practical ideas of a number of successful Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) agencies representing a broad range of size, geography, and diversity, Hispanic Mentoring has grown to represent how intentional emphasis on a community has enhanced the quality and growth of our matches, which agencies have used to connect with their communities, accomplish their goals for growth, and find new resources to do so. Both national and local outreach efforts engage schools, volunteers, advocacy groups and companies to ensure Latino children are matched with appropriate adults, and that matches are long-term and beneficial to everyone involved. Throughout this update the terms “Latino” and “Hispanic” will be used interchangeably.
Hispanic Mentoring within our Network
Hispanic Mentoring Growth & Goals
Nationwide, our Hispanic matches grew by 2.9 % in 2010 to 17.8 % of our nationwide total in sharp contrast to overall decline within the Network. For the 47 Hispanic Mentoring Leadership Network (HMLN) agencies, we have seen three consecutive years of growth in the numbers of Hispanic youth served [(2006: 18%; 2007: 14%; 2008; and 23.6%, (as well as an overall national growth in 2009 of 2.9%)]. While the percentage of Hispanic Volunteer growth remained flat in 2009 at 8%, this must also been seen in as a significant achievement in contrast to overall network decline of volunteers.
The Hispanic Mentoring Leadership Network support continues to grow through Effective Practices Sessions, a best practices sharing framework in which the HMLN Agencies consult closely with one another to improve both quality and reach of our Hispanic Mentoring services. Hispanic Mentoring also seeks to expand agency organizational capacity and effectiveness through the use of our innovation Intentionality checklist that will serve to baseline current HMLN agencies within four levels of agency capacity to implement the HM model, provide focused strategic planning in the lower scoring programmatic areas and needs, provide targeted consultation and training that will produce programmatic growth and maturation so that all agencies are performing within higher levels of programmatic effectiveness.
Hispanic Mentoring Funding
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has strategically leveraged investments with public and private funding that has enhanced our services to the Latino community. Private-sector supporters of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hispanic Mentoring now include: The MetLife Foundation; Cargill Inc.; The Wachovia Foundation; M&T Trusts, and The Bank of America Charitable Foundation.
Hispanic Mentoring Effective Practice Sessions
Wachovia Grantees are required to participate in an Effective Practice Session meeting with another agency. The Effective Practice Sessions (EPS) are a good way for agencies to share best practices among each other, look for ways to mentor in the Latino community and discuss challenges as well. Funding has historically been used for travel (visiting agency) and meeting costs (hosting agency). The EPS Agenda is developed by each of the agency’s CEO. Considerations for EPS matches are based on agency size, Hispanic Mentoring strength (Host Agency) and challenge (Visiting Agency) and region.
Hispanic Mentoring through the Length + Strength = Outcomes Lens
In line with the BBBS Nationwide Strategic Direction, our goal is and continues to include the significant growth, retention and enhancement of the quality of all matches. Integrating Hispanic Mentoring (HM) into the fabric of our network in various dimensions has and will significantly contribute to achieving our organization’s goals while demonstrating how BBBS responds and adapts to the changing environment that we operate in.
Hispanic Mentoring Plans for 2010
· Develop a Hispanic Mentoring National Strategic Plan that aligns itself with BBBS Strategic Planning process.
· Restructuring of the Nationwide Hispanic Advisory Council in alignment with the new Strategic Plan.
· Standardize Hispanic Mentoring Intentionality Checklist capacity building assessment, best practices and resources.
· Develop and nurture a national media reach, presence and branding of Hispanic Mentoring through the new partnership with Univision.
· Continue to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to inform HM progress, evaluate agency performance, and assess ongoing capacity building needs.
· With the assistance of the NHAC, identify and develop three new corporate funding sources that support Hispanic Mentoring programming.
· With the assistance of the NHAC, we will explore national-level partnerships with the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the National Council of La Raza, and the U.S. Congressional Hispanic Caucus
· Continue to fine-tune the Hispanic Mentoring Model based on the Big Brothers Big Sisters Nationwide Strategic Direction and learnings from our HMLN agencies and other intentionality efforts, including Family Strengthening and mentoring services for children impacted by incarceration (Amachi)