Big Brothers Big Sisters invites all of you adults in the Twin Cities to volunteer as mentors for local youth. Seriously, no special skills are neededâjust a little time, encouragement, and a laugh or two to ignite the power and promise of youth.
Learn more about volunteering in our mentorship programs below. And if you’re ready to amplify youth potential as a Big, then fill out the form below to take the first step! #BiggerTogether
Take a minute to sign up and tell us a little bit about yourself by completing this short form. Once you click submit, you’ll receive an email with two next steps:
đș Watch a 4-minute info session video to learn more about volunteering as a mentor.
⥠As soon as you’re ready, complete the application to kickstart your mentoring journey!
đ§ Questions? Drop us an email at volunteers@bigstwincities.org.
đ€đœ Weâre here to help you every step of the way! Get the down-low on volunteering as a youth mentor with these frequently asked questions.
It only takes a moment to start your application to be a Big! The process involves six steps and takes 2-4 weeks:
1. Sign up using the form above
2. Watch a 4-minute information session video
3. Submit your application
4. Complete an interview, background and reference check
5. Complete online training
6. ACCEPTANCE into our mentorship program!
We know waiting for your match can be difficult once youâre accepted. Please know that we take great care into matching you with a Little based on hobbies, interests, personalities, location, family feedback, and much more. We’re certain it’s worth the wait! With over 600 Littles waiting to be matched, we do our best to ensure that you are matched as soon as youâre accepted into one of our mentorship programs.
The minimum age requirement to be a Big is 16 years-old to 19 years-old, depending on the mentoring program you join. And no one is too old to be a Big! Many of the Bigs in the Twin Cities are post-retirement age, and the Littles value their time, energy, and dedication.
Youâre like the cool older sibling! đ A mentor is a youth champion, a supportive person who serves as a positive influence for a young person. Each mentoring relationship looks different, but mentors do not replace the role of a parent or caregiver. You expand their support system as another caring adult in the youthâs life. You will be a friend, cheerleader, and fun person for a Little.
Our Community-Based Mentoring Program requires a driverâs license and car so that you can safely transport your Little to and from activities. If you donât have access to a vehicle, no worries! Youâre more than welcome to use public transportation or ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft for our Site-Based, Grad Coaches, or Free Arts Mentoring Programs.
Once accepted into a mentorship program, we ensure you are matched with a youth based on criteria including proximity, interests, identities, hobbies, compatibility, and goals. Ultimately, Bigs and Littles choose each other!
Absolutely! You and your significant other can both be youth mentors as a Big Couple in our Community-Based Mentoring Program. Big Couples do not have to be married, but must be in a long-term relationship. As a Big Couple, both mentors have the option of going out one-on-one with their Little OR all three can hangout and go out on outings together. Our Big Couples love the flexibility this gives their match. If you choose to go solo with your mentoring journey, know that youâre not alone, and weâll support you every step of the way!
You’ll have:
We ask for a minimum commitment of one year in our Community-Based, Site-Based and Graduation Coach Mentoring Programs, and 12 weeks for Free Arts. That one year matched with a Little is often not the end, though â many of our matches end up lasting a lifetime!
Yes! Belonging is one of our values, and we also create and support mentoring relationships for LGBTQ+ youth and volunteers. We expect ALL volunteers to be accepting and affirming to LGBTQ+ youth and families and vice versa. We also provide Bigs with coaching and resources to help them explore personal identity and create safe spaces with and for LGBTQ+ youth.
Whether youâre in the application process or not quite ready to start your journey as a Big, there are other ways you can support our mission. You can help spread the word about Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities by hosting us at your volunteer fair, hosting a lunch & learn or info session at your place of work or hosting a Big Social Hour! Send us an email at thinkbig@bigstwincities.org.
Learn more about other ways to support our mission.
Youth who have a mentor, another caring adult in their life, excel in many ways. Itâs the student who makes measurable gains in academic performance. Itâs the young person who is affirmed in who they are or want to be. Itâs the young adult who has opportunities to explore and plan their future.
Our professional and committed staff will be there every step of the way to provide support, offer encouragement, and connect you with valuable resources. You’ll also partner with the child’s family who play an important role in the match relationship. We also create space for mutual support and community for Bigs to get together like Big Meetups and Big Socials periodically during the year.
Learn about our commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
The first step is to sign up to learn more about volunteering as a mentor. Take 5 minutes to watch the video on volunteering, and then you’ll then complete an application. Next, we’ll conduct a background check and interview to ensure youth safety.
When you’re accepted, we’ll match you with a youth based on shared interests, values, identities, hobbies, and/or location. This process can take a few days to few weeks, but we promise it’s worth the wait!
You don’t have to be perfect nor have prior mentoring experience. Our volunteers come from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences, but one thing they have in common is a willingness to see the best in young people. When asked to describe their ideal mentor, young people used words like “compassionate,” “playful,” “dependable,” and “willing to learn.”
When children thrive, our community thrives. Research shows that for every dollar invested in BBBS, society receives at least $5 in benefits. We achieve this impressive ROI by connecting Twin Cities youth with supportive adult mentors.
Mentoring has a ripple effect. We create and support mentoring relationships of belonging and safety that are beneficial and rewarding for the youth, families, mentors and our community.
Find the youth mentoring program that's right for you, future Big. Weâll support your volunteering journey through mentorship every step of the way.
Adult volunteers like you (âBigsâ) are paired with children ages 8 to 13 (âLittlesâ). You can participate individually or as a “Big Couple” (i.e. with a spouse or significant other). Each pair or âmatchâ develops a unique relationship based on their identities, interests, hobbies, and values.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
Our site-based program pairs caring adults like you (âBigsâ) with children ages 8 to 13 (âLittlesâ) to meet one-on-one. In this program, matches meet at the Littleâs school or the Bigâs workplace* instead of out in the community. We are currently accepting site-based volunteers at schools in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
In order to volunteer in our site-based program, you must:
Free Arts is a program that inspires young people to discover and express themselves through art. Caring adult volunteers, like you, engage kids in art projects at one of more than 20 Twin Cities partner sites.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
Grad Coaches support high school students in strengthening academic skills, improving study habits, cultivating healthy peer relationships, and developing plans for a career or post-secondary education. We are currently accepting Grad Coach volunteers only at HOPE Community Academy in St. Paul.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
Isaac stepped into youth mentoring as a Big Brother in 2022. Growing up in Ghana, Isaac also had a mentor he looked up to, and remembers his Big Brother as a positive influence in his own life. Isaac discovered Big Brothers Big Sisters through a friend's recommendation, drawn by a desire to give back to his community, now the Twin Cities, in a meaningful way. Having a background in coaching soccer ...
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Iâm honored to be here to talk about my story. Growing up, my dad wasnât a big part of my life and this was a major reason why my mom enrolled me, my brother, and sister into the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. When I was younger, and before I was a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters, I remember watching my older brother leave the house with his Big and I was super jealous that I couldnât go ...
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Being a Big can be a transformative experience, both for those giving their time and for those receiving support. From QuinâTon's initial decision to get involved to the meaningful relationship he has developed with his Little, Caiden, his story is a testament to the power of mentorship. In ...
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Youth mentorship is a powerful force, creating lasting impacts on both mentors and mentees. At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we foster these meaningful relationships, by providing youth with another caring adult who can guide them through life's challenges and help open doors to new opportunities and experiences. Bigs, in turn, often find their lives enriched by the connection and the joy of growing a ...
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Jordan had long considered volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, inspired by friends' positive experiences during college. However, doubts lingered. "I didn't have any younger siblings growing up," Jordan reflected, "just one older sister. I also didn't have much experience working with young kids and wondered if I would make a good Big Brother."
There's no better way to convey the power of youth mentoring than through the experiences of our Bigs and Littles. See for yourself the impact that another caring adult can have on a child by meeting some of our matches. And don't be surprised if you discover that the volunteers are often impacted as much, if not more, than the youth!
Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) is an integral part of our mission and values. The volunteers, youth, and families in our programs have diverse backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences. We strive to foster a safe environment where all individuals are respected, valued, and included. Learn More about Our Commitment to JEDI.
We also aim to create and support an equitable and respectful relationship between the volunteer, the youth, and their family. The young people in our program are seeking friendship, encouragement, and support. They are looking for someone to stand alongside them, not to save them. Our volunteers are another caring adult in a young personâs life, reinforcing the support network already provided by family, friends, and community partners.
