Renee Kinney grew up on a small farm in Minnesota, and began working in the fields and with farm animals at a young age. She learned of the values and the satisfaction of hard work and applied this to her educational experiences. A first-generation college graduate, Ms. Kinney moved to Miami almost 20 years ago, and, having grown up in a largely homogenous environment, enjoys the ongoing learning provided by the diversity of cultures in the city.

After working in the community mental health arena for 10 years, Ms. Kinney joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami in 1997. Over the past 12+ years, she has held various leadership roles within the organization, including Director of Quality Assurance, where she oversaw the development, implementation, and reporting of program quality, metrics, and evaluation activities. Currently serving as Assistant Vice President of Programs, Ms. Kinney directs implementation of program services. She also functions as lead staff for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami’s participation as one of 23 pilot agencies in a nationwide project, now entering its second year, to implement an enhanced school-based mentoring model. Renee is experienced in program development and design and is passionate about the positive youth development and family strengthening fields.

Renee was privileged to represent BBBSGM as one of six agency staff from the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America nationwide network to participate with BBBSA staff and mentoring researchers in the development and design of BBBSA’s new enhanced school-based mentoring model. Renee has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, and has completed all coursework toward a Master of Social Work degree. Additionally, in 2002, Renee completed the Advanced Grant Writing course provided by Zocklein & Associates. She is certified as an adjunct trainer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. We have been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami is a volunteer- and donor-driven organization that provides one-to-one mentoring friendships for youth ages 5 through 18. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Vision is successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to brighter futures, better schools, and stronger communities for all.

About the Evaluation Project

In the field of youth mentoring, there is a growing and respected body of research indicating its effectiveness in enhancing resiliency, building assets, and reducing risk among our country’s youth. One of the unique and interesting aspects of youth mentoring in the social/human services arena is that its services are largely delivered by volunteers. Although we know intuitively and anecdotally that volunteers who mentor youth also benefit from the experience, there are more questions than answers regarding what these impacts are and how they occur.

As volunteer mentors complete the Big Brothers Big Sisters enrollment and orientation/training process, they are about to be changed by their friendship with the child they will mentor. As they meet the child, plan activities, and interact with parents/caregivers and BBBS staff, how are they changed by the experience? The answer to this question becomes even more intriguing in the case of youth mentors – high school youth who mentor younger youth in afterschool care settings. Sometimes called “Double Benefit” programs, these high school mentor programs often require higher staffing levels. Will documented benefits for volunteer mentors, especially for high school mentors, provide a stronger case for support to funders?