Our Program
Big Brothers Big Sisters matches youth (Littles) ages 6-18 with volunteer mentors (Bigs) in professionally supported one-to-one relationships. They have fun together doing everyday things with the results of improved academics, greater self-confidence, and stronger family relationships.
Matches come together through our three essential programs:
Community Based Mentoring
In just a few hours a couple times a month, Bigs and Littles meet in their community to share fun activities and a little bit of themselves. If you know how to be a friend, you know how to be a Big.
This is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters relationship and is the most flexible. They typically meet 3-4 hours per week, but timing is based on individual schedules.
Getting together is fun. Since Bigs and Littles are matched for compatibility, they usually have things in common from the beginning. It doesn’t require expensive activities or special occasions. Share the simple things you already like to do. Things like….
- Shooting hoops
- Playing a board game
- Sharing a pizza
- Taking a walk or bicycling in the park
- Or just hanging out and talking
Site Based or Lunch Buddy Mentoring
Just one hour a week at a local school or other community site is all it takes. You eat lunch together, play sports, board games or do crafts, do general homework or just talk.
They stay on site and play games, do crafts, talk about life and personal issues, or maybe a little homework.
It is not a tutoring program, but national research shows that of those who participated in a school program:
· 58% improved their school performance
· 65% showed higher levels of self-confidence
· 55% had a better attitude toward school
High School Bigs
High school students meet an hour a week with elementary school students at the elementary school site. By playing sports, games, drawing, or talking together, Littles develop their academic and social skills.
Bigs and Littles meet one hour a week at the elementary school site of the Little. BBBS staff coordinates and supervises the match meetings, and a representative is always available for match support.
High school students from second semester freshmen through senior level are eligible from participating schools.
To see which schools are participating in High School Bigs program by county, click here.
Thanks to the Fansler Foundation and Jack-in-the-Box Foundation for helping fund the High School program.
Mentors listen, guide, care, and have fun. The impact of mentoring shows in matches of at least a year, so we ask volunteers to commit that long, if possible. But when you’re having fun, time flies.
