This November, we’re centering on gratitude and giving. We at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area (BBBSBA) are thankful for our community, including the volunteers, families, donors and partners that make our work possible.
While we reflect on our gratitude, we also recognize our communities are facing challenges. During this season of giving, we’re joining California in championing those who support others – the caring adults who show up and empower youth.
One of the most powerful gifts you can give back to the Bay Area is a positive, caring presence for our young people. Across California and the nation, young men and boys face the crisis of loneliness.
The Call for Connection
Experts describe loneliness and social isolation as an epidemic, as both men and women are spending more time alone than they were two decades ago. Here in the Bay Area, that disconnection can feel amplified.
The data is striking: nearly one in four men under 30 report having no close friends. Research shows that men are more likely to report being socially isolated and feeling like they aren’t meaningfully part of any group or community.
This lack of connection is linked to serious outcomes, as men lose their life to suicide nearly four times the rate of women, often tied to social disconnect.
BBBSBA is proud to take part in Governor Newsom’s new California Men’s Service Challenge. The initiative is a statewide call to action for 10,000 men to step up together and build the sense of community that’s been missing.
Our Bay Area Waiting List
This statewide challenge hits close to home for us at BBBSBA.
With nearly 70% of our Waiting List being male-identifying youth, the need is right here in our neighborhoods. Across all nine Bay Area counties – Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma – youth are waiting for a mentor to show up for them. Many are young boys of color, waiting for support from someone who shares lived experiences with them.
The need is greatest among young people facing systemic barriers. Our program works to address this need by creating a path where children can envision brighter futures.
Calling on You: No Special Skills Required
People often hesitate to sign up, especially in the Bay Area. We hear their concerns all the time, whether it’s feeling like they’re too busy, underqualified, or not special enough.
The truth is, you already have what it takes. There are no special skills required to become a mentor. Mentoring isn’t about grand gestures or extravagant activities, it’s about the Little moments that make a Big impact. For example:
- Grabbing a burrito in the Mission
- Shooting hoops at a local park in Oakland
- Talking about your day while stuck in traffic on the 101
- Being there and listening
Research shows that men socialize through group activities. BBBSBA provides youth with the best of both worlds: a powerful, evidence-based one-to-one Match within a supportive community of fellow Matches. You can be part of their support system and join a wider community together.
Giving the Gift of Mentorship
As you reflect on what you’re grateful for, think about those who have supported you. We ask you to give the gift of mentorship, which is your time and your presence. Pay it forward to a young person here in the Bay Area.
Ready to answer the call? Start your journey by signing up to be a mentor today.
Looking for a Big to support your child? Enroll them in our program here.
Want to support our efforts? Donate to our program.