PEER RELATIONSHIPS
Why is this important?
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Adolescents living in lower-income communities tend to have less positive relationships with their peers compared to their higher SES counterparts. Peer relationships are a crucial part of one’s development in adolescence.
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Peers can have positive benefits or negative influences on an individual depending on the state of the relationship. Those who have the social skills and resources to thrive in social settings tend to have better overall well-being. Those who struggle socially or do not have the opportunities to engage positively with peers may face problems such as anxiety and depression.
Recommended Programs Implemented in Schools:
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America
Developed by: Ernest Kent Coulter
CEO: President Artis Stevens
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Targeted towards 5 - 18-year-olds.
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Nationwide 235+ agencies across the United States
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Community-based: 5 -15-year-olds
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School-based: elementary school students paired with high school students
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Operation Bigs: military families
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Amachi program: children with incarcerated parents
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​​A donor and volunteer supported organization to help vulnerable children of single, low-income, and/or incarcerated parents succeed through pairing each child with a trained and supervised volunteer role model.​
Programs:
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Learn more at:
Recommended Programs Available Outside of School:
Boys and Girls Club of America:
Sports and Recreation
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Directed by: Jim Clark
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4300 Clubs Nationwide
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Targeted toward youth 6 - 16+ years-old
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Provides recreational programs to help develop physical fitness, reduce stress and promote the positive use of leisure time, appreciation for the environment, and interpersonal skills.
Some programs: Triple Play, Play Ball, RBI, Fun At Bat, All-Stars​
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Learn more at:
Friendship Foundation
Directed by: Yossi Mintz
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Targeted towards children 5-12, teens 13-17, adults 18-30, summer programs, online programs, school programs,
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36 Friendship School Clubs in the South Bay Los Angeles County area-
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Supports parents and families who have children and young adults with special needs by providing a safe, accepting, and inclusive environment where they can enjoy sports, art, music, and many other social programs with their peers.
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Children with special needs are paired with student volunteers for an event full of fun peer interaction.
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Free online programs during COVID-19
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Learn more at:
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Best Buddies Friendship Program
Nationwide and international
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Programs: middle school, high school, college, citizens (adults), e-buddies
​Provides a one-to-one friendship between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded.
Helps people with IDD form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, and share interests, experiences, and activities that many other individuals enjoy.​
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Learn more at:
Recommended Programs After-school Mentoring:
Friendship for Youth
Directed by: Karen Wilmer
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​Youth 8-17 are paired with an adult mentor once a week for 6 months to a year.
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San Mateo and Santa Clara counties
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Mentors provide support, encouragement, and friendship and help their mentees learn important life skills.
Together they participate in workshops, activities, and fun adventures, exposing mentees to new experiences and opportunities.
There is also a school-based, group mentoring program called Connect which helps struggling adolescents with the transition to high school.
​Learn more at:
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