Our Impact
662 Littles served during fiscal year 2023
85.7% of Littles surveyed said they maintained/increased educational expectations
7,000+ Calls made by match support specialists to Bigs, Littles and parents/guardians
Mission
Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youths.
Key Services Provided
Community-based mentoring matches an adult mentor (Big) with a child (Little). Activities occur in the community. School-based mentoring matches a Big with a Little to meet during the school year. Activities occur at the Little’s school. Workplace mentoring is a career exploration program, pairing middle school students with business professionals.
Key Audiences Served
BBBSIA provides mentoring services for youths and young adults in Polk, Warren and Dallas counties. More than 60% of our youths come from communities of color, low income or single-parent households. Our supporting programs include I Am Enough, Future Pathways, Prevention-Focused Mentoring, Sports Buddies and Group Mentoring.
Ways to give
Leave a legacy by making a gift to our Building a BIG Future
Capacity Building Campaign: www.bbbsia.org.
Volunteer to become a Big Brother, Big Sister, Big Duo or Big Family.
Find out how your business can become a workplace mentoring business partner.
Contribute to the BBBSIA endowment fund by visiting the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines website: www.desmoinesfoundation.org.
What are the most immediate needs to support your organization?
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa (BBBSIA) recently moved to its new youth mentoring center located at 2130 Grand Ave. in Des Moines. The spacious facility allows BBBSIA to serve more youths and provide a welcoming and engaging space for Littles to bond with their Bigs. Fostering meaningful relationships and promoting personal growth are essential elements of the work they do.
Immediate needs to support BBBSIA include:
Volunteering as a Big by yourself or with a friend, partner or family member.
Getting involved in our supporting programs: I Am Enough, Future Pathways, Prevention-Focused Mentoring, Sports Buddies or Group Mentoring.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CEO - Bridget Cravens-Neely
President - Ida H. Wood
President-elect - David Siebert
Past-president - Jeff Matney
Secretary - Kiley Skadburg
Treasurer - Ashlee Vieregger
Kafila Adelani
Nick Blyth
Tania Bowman
Rafael Colon Cruz
Anne M. Cooper, Ph.D.
Rob Dixon
Rosalind Peebles Fox
Tim F. Heaston
Andy Hodges
D’Angelo Johnson
Rachelle Keck, Ph.D.
Braxton Lewis
Jenny Livingston
Ashley Tollakson
Jessica McCombs, Big Impact Board