In Charlotte, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves children ages five through 14 with mentors in professionally supported one-to-one relationships.  Once matched, children can stay in our program until they are 18.

Making the Connection

Matches come together through our three essential programs:  

• Amachi - Mentoring Children of Prisoners:  Research shows that 70 percent of children of incarcerated parents will themselves at some point be incarcerated – unless they have positive adult intervention.That is why mentoring children of prisoners is a key component of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ goal to reach more kids, especially those who may face significant risk factors. Amachi, a West African word that means “who knows but what God has brought us through this child,” is the name of an initiative that connects children of prisoners with mentors recruited through local religious congregations. We screen and match church members with children who have been identified and enrolled by their custodial parent or guardian. An onsite church volunteer coordinator provides a point of contact for ongoing volunteer support and information. Because the church is a common meeting ground, there are enhanced opportunities for group events involving matches, or for support and training activities for volunteers. Learn more »
• Community-based Mentoring: For as little as two - four hours per month, Bigs and Littles meet in their community to share fun activities … stories … and a little bit of themselves. Learn more »  
• Site-based Mentoring: Bigs and Littles meet once a week in schools to talk and have fun. It’s not about being a tutor … it’s about being a friend. Learn more »

• Hispanic Mentoring Initiative

Latinos make up about 14 percent of the nation’s population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. More than one-third of all Hispanics in the United States are under age 18. Over one-quarter of Hispanic children under 18 in the U.S. live in poverty.

We are committed to serving the needs of Hispanic children and families across the country. The Hispanic Mentoring Initiative continues the Big Brothers Big Sisters tradition of outreach to all at-risk youth by emphasizing the connection with Hispanic communities and the recruitment of Latino volunteers and Littles.

How a Big becomes a Big (and a Little )

A lot of things have to happen before we make a match. All our Bigs go through a thorough background check and careful interview process. Then we match Bigs and Littles based on location, personalities and preferences. And we provide full support along the way — so that matches can grow into lasting friendships.

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What Bigs and Littles Do

Getting together is a great time for both Bigs and Littles. It doesn’t require a special occasion or expensive activities; just a few hours every month sharing simple things you already enjoy with a young person. Things like….

• Shooting hoops
• Playing a board game
• Sharing a pizza
• Taking a walk in the park
• Or just hanging out and talking

More info on volunteering »
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More info on enrolling a child »
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Your donation will make a difference

Calls come in every day from parents, teachers and guidance counselors. They know what a difference a mentor can make in a child’s life. Your gift can help make Big magic for children in your local community by:

• Helping us to recruit new Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers
• Ensuring that trained professionals match children to caring and responsible Bigs
• Offering one-on-one, ongoing supervision and support for every match
• Providing cultural and social activities to enrich the opportunities for children

And 92.2% of every dollar you give goes directly to making and supporting matches; the remainder covers overall program administration.

Think about a child who has wished for a Big Brother or Big Sister. Someone to have fun with and confide in. Someone to be a mentor. A guide. A friend. Now … think of how your gift could make a difference in that child’s life.

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Ready to Get Involved?

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