Big Sister Association of Greater Boston has been helping young women in the Boston-area uncover personal potential and academic opportunities since 1951. The association offers mentoring programs with opportunities to develop special friendships with committed older women volunteers where the the young women are emotionally supported and encouraged. By fostering relationships between girls and women, Big Sister helps girls cultivate the confidence and competence to move forward in their lives. Big Sister s mentoring programs are specifically designed to acknowledge and address girls unique interests and needs. Its programs have varying time requirements and physical settings and share a fundamental purpose, to nurture girls strengths and validate their experiences. The programs are also preventative, preventing the girls from taking decisions that could adversely affect their futures. The mentoring programs give girls access to the information and resources needed to understand how the decisions they make affect their lives.