Who We Are
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the largest provider of one-to-one youth mentoring services in the United States. We have been bringing caring adults into the lives of our nations’ children for over 100 years. These quality relationships are built on friendship and trust and are prove to be significant. A volunteer does not need any special skills to be a Big Brother or Big Sister. They only need to be interested in sharing time, conversation and activities of mutual interest with a child. Just by sharing experiences, celebration accomplishments, and listening to a child’s concerns, a Big Brother and Big Sister can make a big difference to a child.
What We Do
Big Brother Big Sister matches children, ages 5 -17, with adult volunteers in meaningful one on one relationships. Before we make a match, we do our homework. After someone expresses an interest in becoming a Big, they go through an extensive background check and careful interview process. Then we match Bigs and Littles based on location, personalities, and preferences. We provide full support from the start, so matches can grow into lasting, fruitful friendships. It’s also important to note that the entire matching process is made possible through donations—we can’t do what we do best without them!
WHAT IS A ‘BIG’?
A Big is a mature adult (18 years and older) who are interested in being a part of a child’s life at least four hours a month for a minimum of twelve months.
WHAT IS A ‘LITTLE’?
A Little Brother or Little Sister is a child in our program between the ages of 5 and 17 years old. Our Littles come from all different backgrounds and socioeconomic groups.
WHAT IS A MATCH?
A match is the pairing of a Big Brother to a Little Brother, a Big Sister to a Little Sister, or a Big Couple/Big Family to a Little Brother/Little Sister.
DOES BEING A BIG BROTHER OR BIG SISTER REQUIRE EXPERIENCE?
You do not need any special skills or experience to be a Big. Just spending time and caring about your Little makes a big difference. We were all kids once; it doesn’t take special skills to be a friend.
WHY SHOULD I BECOME A BIG BROTHER OR A BIG SISTER?
Many Bigs describe their experiences with their match by saying, “I get to be a kid again.” It’s not about making extravagant plans together, it’s about sharing quality time together, and enjoying time together. Bigs often say to others interested in the program “Just go for it, it’s one of the best experiences I’ve had”.
