Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is excited to partner with Spanaway and Cedarcrest Middle Schools in Tacoma for a Group Mentoring Program called “BIG L.Y.F.T.” L.Y.F.T stands for Leading Youth Forward Together. Our goal in this program is to come together as a community to support boys in building resilience and forging a healthy path for the future. In this program, boys attend weekly group mentoring sessions with Credible Messenger (Will Hausa/Rashad Norris) to:
Build social-emotional skills
Learn about health & wellness
Understand finances and investments
Mentoring Makes a Difference for Kids
path for the future
path for the future
%
of youth with a Big graduated high school in 2023
trust / belonging
trust / belonging
%
of youth feel their Big is a very important adult in their life
social competence
social competence
%
improved or maintained social competence
path for the future
path for the future
%
of youth with a Big graduated high school in 2023
trust / belonging
trust / belonging
%
of youth feel their Big is a very important adult in their life
social competence
social competence
%
improved or maintained social competence
Our Actions
Program Activities
The program kicked off the year with all young men creating Vision Boards, outlining their personal goals, defining who they are, and identifying their aspirations. As part of this activity, they also explored the music they listen to and how it shapes their identity.
Throughout the sessions, they engaged in discussions on the Five Pillars of Manhood, emphasizing self-respect, character, and integrity.
How it Works
1
Sign Your Child Up For A Group Mentoring Event
2
Drop Them Off At Monthly Program Sessions
3
See Their Confidence And Positivity Grow
Meet our Mentors
Will Hausa
Will Hausa is a Vice President of Community Engagement at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound. Will is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and guiding young men toward the right path with passion and motivation. In every session, he focuses on building social-emotional skills, raising awareness about health and wellness, and providing knowledge on finances and investment. He shared:
“I go in with hope that they see I’m not an intimidating teacher or mentor. I’m more like a coach, giving them the skills they need to succeed.”
Rashad C. Norris
Rashad Norris devoted his time as the Director of Community Engagement at Highline College for the past 14 years, traveling to schools, community centers, libraries, and youth educational conferences to speak with young people and young adults. He emphasized the importance of education and the resources available to help them pursue higher education. He always shares with his mentees:
“You’re like my new basketball team, and my job is to give you the skills to play the game. If you’re not ready, it reflects poorly on me as a coach. I want to see you win.”
Community Partnerships
PARTNERS MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Spanaway Middle School
We proudly partner with Spanaway Middle School to hold mentoring sessions with students and share experiences with them.
Cedarcrest Middle School
We proudly partner with Cedarcrest Middle School to hold mentoring sessions with students and share experiences with them.
Pierce County
As part of their initiatives to support young people, the county funds our BIG L.Y.F.T and Credible Messenger programs.
Our Testimonials
What People Say
“It’s not really that we’re [Bigs] helping them, its that we are assisting them in accessing the resources they need to make stuff happen. These kids now; they know whats good. They are brilliant and creative. They’re link: Give me an opportunity and I’ll run with it.”
DarnellBig Brother
“My Little has the crayon box, and she just needs help to identify the colors. Yes, being in the corner as a Big is important, but kids are doing the thing. […] Whatever she does next is going to be brilliant. It doesn’t even matter if it takes her a while … like the opportunity to witness that was just like … oh, my gosh.”
AnonymousBig Sister
“Having a Big is awesome! It’s like having this incredible friend who’s got my back, helping me navigate the world, and teaching me valuable life lessons.”
AnonymousHigh School Little
“Big Brothers Big Sisters has been a blessing in my life. All 3 of my children have had Bigs, and each Big has been just the right person to connect with them.”
ChavelaParent of 3 Littles
How Mentoring Makes a Difference
According to the Chronicle of Evidence Based Mentoring, mentored youth are more likely to improve their grades, with a 45% increase in the likelihood of earning higher academic marks, and youth with mentors are 55% more likely to enroll in college than their peers without mentors.
While college seems a long way off to a middle schooler, outcomes at this age are critical for future success. Research shows that mentorship is most effective when mentoring is introduced earlier in life. Mentoring increases resilience in young people, helping them navigate and overcome adverse experiences and the everyday challenges of growing up.
