<strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sister</strong> <strong>of</strong>fers two Group Mentoring opportunities in order to provide our preventative mentoring programs to more <strong>of</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> Boston’s girls. Both programs, TEAM (Team Enhanced Approach to Mentoring) and Life Choices, are specifically designed for middle school-aged girls (typically 10-16). Group Mentoring creates safe spaces for adolescent girls where they can openly explore the choices and challenges they face. More than merely a place free <strong>of</strong> violence, this safe space creates an atmosphere <strong>of</strong> intimacy and mutual respect where girls feel comfortable expressing their ideas with adults and with each other. Our Group Mentoring programs involve both volunteers (TEAM only) and <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sister</strong> social workers (TEAM and Life Choices) and are specifically designed to meet each girl’s unique, developmental needs. The program uses a structured curriculum, which explores real world topics designed to increase girls’ understanding <strong>of</strong> complex gender and social issues. Groups meet weekly in schools or community sites for 90-minute sessions throughout the year. Life Choices Boston Renaissance Charter School, Hyde Park Bromley-Heath Housing Development, Jamaica Plain Community Charter School <strong>of</strong> Cambridge, Cambridge Dorchester Juvenile Court, Dorchester Garfield Middle School, Revere Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School, Dorchester Maria Weston Chapman Middle School, Weymouth Mario Umana Middle School Academy, East Boston Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, Dorchester Mother Caroline Academy, Dorchester Oliver Hazard Perry K-8 School, South Boston West Roxbury Juvenile Court Clinic, West Roxbury * Boston Centers for Youth and Families Sites Life Choices Summer Agassiz Community Center*, Jamaica Plain Jackson Mann Community Center*, Brighton Orchard Gardens Community Center*, Roxbury Paris Street Community Center*, East Boston Roslindale Community Center*, Roslindale Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, Dorchester Tynan Community Center*, South Boston West End House Boys and Girls Club, Allston Yawkey Boys & Girls Club, Roxbury TEAM Boston Renaissance Charter School, Hyde Park Orchard Gardens K-8 Pilot School, Roxbury Patrick F. Gavin Middle School, South Boston Tech Boston Academy, Dorchester Somerville Boys & Girls Club, Somerville West End House Boys & Girls Club, Allston Yawkey Boys & Girls Club, Roxbury 34 2010 <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> www.bigsister.org
<strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sister</strong> served 633 girls through our Group Mentoring programs, Life Choices and TEAM. <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sister</strong> <strong>Association</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> Boston 2010 <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 35
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