Our Response to COVID-19

**COVID-19 BBBSC Update, March 2, 2021**

Following Colorado and CDC public health guidelines, with the approval of a Little’s parent/guardian and the Big, BBBSC is supporting mentoring matches in meeting in person (with proper safety and expectation protocols including physical distancing, masking, etc. in place). Matches may also choose to meet virtually. This helps some matches, who may be meeting less frequently in-person due to the pandemic, gain more time together to build their relationship.

The BBBSC staff remain committed to helping mentoring relationships thrive– whether those interactions be in-person, virtual or both. We will continue to do our part to help keep Littles, parents/guardians and their Bigs healthy and safe. While things may look a little different during a pandemic, BBBSC’s work to foster meaningful relationships to produce positive youth outcomes remains vital.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the communities we support.  Financial support associated with transitioning mentoring programs online, providing support resources for distance education, and families during the time of COVID-19 are needed.

COVID-19’s Effect on Littles 

 The mentees that BBBSC serves and their families are extremely susceptible to the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The young people BBBSC serves are likely to bear the heaviest burdens of trauma and economic fallout.

• Littles face much greater exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) than the general population.
• Social isolation can both increase the likelihood of ACEs such as exposure to domestic violence, abuse and neglect, and compound the effects of trauma and ACEs.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring relationships protect against harmful effects of ACEs and help young people with childhood trauma.