New Baytown Mentoring Partnership Reaches Out to Hispanic Students
Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs Sterling High School with San Jacinto Elementary

BAYTOWN, August 25 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston (BBBS) has formed an exciting partnership between Goose Creek CISD and Communities in Schools to help mentor Hispanic children at San Jacinto Elementary School.  A new School-Based program starting in September will match them with student mentors, or “Bigs,” from Sterling High School through BBBS’ Baytown Branch Office.
            “National research shows having a mentor can keep children from trying drugs and alcohol,” said Kime Smith, Baytown Branch Office Coordinator for BBBS.  “What’s also great about this program is that high school students are stepping up and helping younger kids by being their friends, giving them someone to talk to about the pressures of school and life.”
            The after-school program is part of BBBS’ Hispanic Outreach Initiative, a program designed to raise awareness of the BBBS model of one-to-one mentoring among the Hispanic population of Greater Houston.  Of the 486 students at San Jacinto, 89% are Hispanic.  Ninety-one percent are considered economically challenged.      
            The high school student mentors, or “Bigs,” will begin meeting with their third, fourth, and fifth grade Little Brothers and Sisters on September 11th.  The “Bigs” will spend time with their “Littles” by talking about their lives and helping them with schoolwork.  The program is part of BBBS’ School-Based program, where “Bigs” meet with their “Littles” for an hour once a week during or after school.