Youth from ethnic minority, disadvantaged families are less likely to have adult role models and caring adult relationships (other than parents) than socioeconomically advantaged youth. Yet recruiting and retaining volunteers to help at-risk youth remains a persistent challenge, including at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA). The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to determine best practices to increase the recruitment of ethnic minority volunteers in the BBBSA mentorship program in the midwestern United States. Staff at one BBBSA-affiliated program answered open-ended questionnaires to offer their perceptions of best practices and challenges in recruiting ethnic minority volunteers. The data were combined with research literature to determine best practices for the organization to increase ethnic minority recruitment. Organizations should work to create a compelling message targeted to the recruitment audience. The time commitment should be made clear. Current or former mentors should share their experiences to recruit others. Organizations can increase youth involvement in recruiting as well as use of workplace programs for recruitment. The literature remains limited on ethnic minority recruitment for BBBSA, and more research is needed.
| Date of Award | Jan 1 2024 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Mary Lynn Vogel (Supervisor), Linda Gaughan (Advisor) & Kimberly Durham (Advisor) |
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