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Kauffman Scholars Mentoring Program

Try remembering when you were in high school, getting ready to embark on the unknown world of college, did you have someone there to talk to you about what to expect and help you with questions along the way?  That's exactly what our mentors do for the students in the Kauffman Scholars program.  These first generation college students need someone to talk to about college applications, their first week at school and studying for a big test, but most importantly just someone to be there when they need it.

This initiative seeks to support at-risk children not only through high school graduation, but through college as well. This initiative is centered around a partnership with Kauffman Scholars, Inc., a selective college preparation program that provides the guidance and resources necessary to help low income urban students become college students. BBBS-KC provides every KSI participant with a much-needed mentor. By providing a mentor, the scholar is more likely to complete the KSI program and attain a college degree. Upon completion of the KSI program, each enrolled youth is awarded a full scholarship to any college of their choice.

The Kauffman Program is a bit different than the traditional program. Bigs & Littles meet monthly and work on building a friendship that includes talking about college and life after college. The children are all enrolled in the KCMO or KCK school districts.

• You have once a month to share with a high school student.
• Would like to help a child go to college and be successful.
  

It’s teacher-approved.

Some of the biggest supporters of our Kauffman Scholars Mentoring program are actually teachers. They see students come back from their time with their Big filled with confidence, smiling big, ready to learn and eager to succeed.

Learning about life.

Although this program may sound a lot like school work, that's not what it's all about. Of course, some Littles do talk with their Bigs about class, or do homework, or read together, but it’s perfectly fine to shoot hoops or go to a movies. At the end of the day, it's really all about starting a friendship, providing guidance and inspiring them to reach their potential. 

At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we have tremendous confidence in our ability to impact children and put them on the right path. But it means even more when an outside study comes to the same conclusion.  

Click here to read profiles of some waiting Kauffman Scholars.

Interested in becoming a volunteer in our Kauffman Scholars program? Click here.
Need more information about volunteering? Click here.
Want to make a donation to support our programs? Click here.