Empowering Programs Bigger Impact

Community-Based Mentoring

Many relationships between Bigs and Littles are part of our Community-based programs. Community-based mentoring relationships involve one-on-one outings and activities, doing things the Big and Little enjoy together, like:

• Taking a walk in the park
• Going to a museum
• Going to an event hosted by the local BBBS affiliate
• Listening to music
• Hanging out and talking
• Some Bigs meet their Littles on the weekends. Others get together with their Littles on weekday evenings. Each match is unique and develops a schedule that works for them.

Role models make an impact
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.

Meeting youth where they are.

Sometimes the best place to help a child realize their potential is at school. Kids enjoy having their Bigs meet with them there, whether it’s in the classroom or on the playground. And parents know what a positive impact it makes.

It’s teacher-approved.

Some of the biggest supporters of our School-Based Mentoring program are actually teachers. They see students come back from their time with their Big filled with confidence, smiling big, ready to learn and eager to succeed.

Learning about life.

Although it takes place at schools, our School-Based Mentoring program isn’t limited to the classroom. Of course, some Littles do talk with their Bigs about class, or do homework, or read together, but it’s perfectly fine to shoot hoops in the gym or play on the playground. At the end of the day, it’s really all about starting a friendship, providing guidance and inspiring them to reach their potential. At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we have tremendous confidence in our ability to impact children and put them on the right path. But it means even more when an outside study comes to the same conclusion. Click to learn more about our Nationwide School-Based Mentoring Study.

Operation Bigs:
Mentoring for Military Children

Sometimes the best thing a child can have is a friend. An adult to look up to, speak with on a personal level and confide in, and who can help with everyday things. Big Brothers Big Sisters is on a mission to inspire children’s passions and encourage them to achieve success in life.

Mission:
Change Children’s Lives

Operation Bigs focuses on providing mentors for children in military families. Mentoring isn’t parenting. Bigs can’t fill those shoes, and definitely not those boots. Bigs are just here as a little extra support. Bigs who mentor children from military families come from various backgrounds and can be military (active or retired) or civilian volunteers.

Just as we do with all of our matches, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully matches Bigs and Littles for long-term, one-to-one friendships. We also provide support for the mentors, children and families throughout the life of the match. The safety and well-being of all Littles comes first. We take time to match the right Bigs and Littles together. And there is more than one way for them to meet, providing flexibility for the matches