Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado pushes mentorship ahead of Aug. 27 gala

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado is using its Aug. 27 Big Little Gala in Denver to make the case that mentorship can help address student absenteeism, youth mental health and workforce readiness across Colorado. The sold-out event will raise funds for programs in the Denver metro and Pikes Peak regions while spotlighting youth voices and community investment.

Why it matters: - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado is framing mentorship as a practical response to problems affecting Colorado students and families, including chronic absenteeism, mental health struggles and weak social connection. - The organization says mentoring relationships can also support college access, career readiness and long-term economic mobility. - The fundraising tied to the gala supports mentoring programs that serve youth across the Denver Metro and Pikes Peak regions.

What happened: - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado will host its annual Big Little Gala on Thursday, Aug. 27, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Denver Art Museum. - The event theme is “Voices of Our Youth.” - The gala will bring together business, civic and community leaders. - Tickets for the 2026 gala are sold out. - The event is co-chaired by Shawn Neville, CEO of BOA Technology, and Elissa Banker, Director of Organizational Development & Community Impact at BOA Technology. - BOA Technology is returning as presenting sponsor.

The details: - During the 2024–25 school year, more than one in four Colorado students, or about 244,600 young people, were chronically absent, according to the Colorado Department of Education. - The Colorado Healthy Kids Colorado Survey found that 22% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. - The same survey found that 78% of high school students said they had an adult they could turn to for help with a serious problem. - The survey also found that 72% of youth felt a sense of belonging at school. - Youth with an adult to turn to were about 60% less likely to seriously consider suicide. - A national four-year randomized controlled study of more than 1,300 young people across 17 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies found lower rates of recurring substance use and violence-related delinquent behavior among youth offered community-based mentoring. - That study also found sustained gains in self-esteem, life satisfaction and mental health, and Arnold Ventures summarized the findings in 2025. - Long-term research on BBBS mentoring linked the program to higher college attendance and stronger early-career economic outcomes. - One study found youth offered mentoring were 20 percentage points more likely to attend college. - A larger analysis of program and administrative records found positive differences in early-career earnings. - BBBSC’s 2025 Annual Report says the organization served 1,641 Colorado youth. - Volunteers contributed 46,416 hours of mentoring. - Littles were 52% less likely to skip school. - 78% of Littles maintained or improved their grades. - 94% of Littles reported feeling confident they could achieve their goals. - 20% more likely to enroll in college. - BBBSC’s programs include one-to-one mentoring, school-based programs, Project AIM and Big Futures. - Big Futures helps teens build plans for college, careers, skilled trades, military service or other paths to independence. - Beginning in October, community-based matches will gain access to weekly, staff-facilitated activities built around six IMPACT pillars: Innovation and STEAM, Movement and Wellness, Preparation and Readiness, Arts and Creativity, Community and Belonging, and Think Bigger. - BBBSC says the expanded model will give mentors, youth and families more structured chances to explore careers, build life skills and strengthen relationships. - Individual donations can be made at biglittlecolorado.org/donate. - The gala leads into September, which the State of Colorado recognizes as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado Month.

Between the lines: - BBBSC is tying a gala fundraiser to a broader policy-style argument: relationships, not just programming, can improve student outcomes and community health. - The timing ahead of September gives the organization a month-long platform to recruit mentors and broaden public support. - The emphasis on workforce readiness suggests BBBSC is positioning mentoring as an education issue and an economic development issue.

What's next: - BBBSC plans to roll out the weekly IMPACT activities for community-based matches in October. - The organization is encouraging Colorado residents to become mentors and support youth through donations. - September will serve as a statewide spotlight on mentors, youth voices and relationship-based support.

The bottom line: - BBBSC is making the case that mentoring can help move the needle on school engagement, mental health and future job readiness — and it is using its sold-out gala to drive that message home.