So many ways to get started

Community-based Mentoring

1. Taking a walk in the park
2. Going to museum
3. Inspiring each other
4. Listening to music
5. Hanging out and talking

Some Bigs meet their Littles on the weekends. Others get together with their Littles in the evenings. Each match is unique and develops a schedule that works for them.

After a match is made, BBBS' Match Support Coordinators will contact the volunteer, child and parent regularly to offer help and support. Community-based mentoring is fun and convenient ... a LITTLE bit of YOU can make a BIG difference!

In addition to the One-to-One mentoring program option, BBBS also offers several related opportunities, for which volunteers also meet their mentees two to four times per month:

Big Couples/Colleagues
This program option allows volunteers to partner with a co-worker, sibling, spouse or friend to mentor a young person.

Big Families
BBBS is proud to announce its newest program, Big Families. Big Families engages a primary mentor in a relationship with a primary child with a defined supplemental role for the mentor's family. Linking a child with an entire family can strengthen and enrich the mentoring experience for everyone involved.

Big Families is an innovative approach to volunteerism, as it takes into account the needs of families, the needs of BBBS and the needs of children that BBBS serves. Studies have shown that family volunteerism strengthens families and communities while teaching values and encouraging civic engagement across generational lines. In addition, BBBS has observed that successful match relationships often involve the Big's entire family. The Big Families program enables BBBS to start matches with the entire family at the beginning of a relationship.

By participating in the Big Families program, family members can spend quality time together in an activity that transmits values and models compassion. In addition, volunteers do not have to take time away from their own families in order to mentor a child. Families participating in the program are asked to commit for a minimum of one year and to a minimum of two to four activities per month.

Role models make an impact

National and local studies show that children who have role models are more likely to improve in school and in their relationships with family and friends, and less likely to skip school or use illegal drugs or alcohol. Students who are successful in school are less likely to drop out, abuse drugs or commit crimes. In fact, the success of children enrolled in Big Brothers Big Sisters was proven in a nationwide randomized study.

Interested in becoming a volunteer in our Community-Based program? Click here.
Need more information about volunteering? Click here.
Want to make a donation to support our programs? Click here.