$8.4 Million Secured to Strengthen Youth Mentoring Across Florida

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida is proud to announce that the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida (BBBSAF) has secured $8.4 million in state funding for the 2025–2026 fiscal year to expand youth mentoring programs across Florida. As one of BBBSAF’s 11 affiliated agencies, we are excited to help bring these vital resources to the children and families we serve in Northwest Florida.

The funding, made possible through the advocacy efforts of The Mayernick Group and with strong support from legislative leaders, will directly benefit programs designed to improve academic performance, reduce juvenile justice involvement, increase workforce readiness, and strengthen community relationships. These programs are implemented locally by each of the 11 affiliate agencies, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, which serves youth across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay counties.

This investment supports a range of statewide initiatives, including Bigs Inspiring Scholastic Success (B.I.S.S.), which partners with over 350 schools to improve school engagement and academic achievement; School-to-Work and Beyond School Walls, which promote career readiness through mentoring and job-shadowing experiences; Bigs in Blue, which connects youth with first responders to foster trust and civic responsibility; and Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents (M.C.I.P.), which provides critical support to youth affected by parental incarceration.

This funding milestone would not have been possible without the continued leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, a former Big Brother, whose support has helped elevate the visibility of mentoring across Florida. We are also deeply grateful to Senate President Ben Albritton, House Speaker Daniel Perez, and the legislative sponsors of these programs for recognizing the lasting impact mentoring has on Florida’s youth and communities. This investment represents a meaningful step forward in expanding access to life-changing mentorship and creating a brighter future for Florida’s youth.