Big Brothers Big Sisters matches children ages 6 through 18 with mentors in professionally supported one-to-one relationships. We have programs in communities across the country — including yours.

Making the Connection

Matches come together through our essential programs:

• Traditional Match Program : The traditional match program is a community-based one-to-one match program in which children and youth identified in need of one-to-one adult support are matched to volunteers who serve as Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Youth in the program, ages seven to seventeen, are referred by community and county agencies, schools, churches, hospitals, and professionals. A match between a child and volunteer is based on specific needs as well as common interests and compatibility. The relationship is supported and supervised by a Case Manager. Although there are not specific time requirements for match meetings, each carefully screened volunteer “Big” Brother or Sister makes a commitment to consistent meetings with his/her “Little” Brother or Sister. The program includes professional guidance, support, training, social and community service activities for matched “Bigs” and “Littles”.
• School-based Mentoring :    The school-based mentoring program is a collaborative partnership between the community, schools, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and local businesses. Corporate partners recruit employees to serve as mentors in the program. The program serves students referred by the school who are deemed at-risk of academic failure, social difficulty or failure, and/or in need of a positive adult role model. Students are matched one-to-one with adult volunteers who serve as mentors to extend positive experiences, help students learn basic skills, and make responsible choices concerning their future roles as contributing members of our society. Students and mentors meet in the school building during the academic school year.
• High School "Bigs" program: High school students serve as “Big” Brothers or Sisters to elementary school students who can benefit from extra support from a high school volunteer. The elementary school student is referred by the guidance counselor or teacher. Each high school volunteer is carefully screened, trained, and selected to ensure a responsible, committed role model. High School “Bigs” and “Littles” meet weekly at the elementary school. High School students, through their experience as a mentor, learn how to be caring adults, receive leadership education, training for marketable skills, and experience first-hand the value and rewards of engaging in community service. At the same time, the younger student benefits from a positive, healthy relationship with a caring role model willing to talk, listen, and engage the child in a variety of activities in a supervised setting.
• Options Program:   As juvenile delinquency rates increased, Big Brothers Big Sisters responded by using the foundation of the traditional match program to provide intensive professional guidance and support to youth, under the age of eighteen, referred by the Bucks County Juvenile Court and Children and Youth. This program offers a community-based placement option and is designed to reduce recidivism and institutional placements. Youth in this program meet weekly on a one-to-one basis with a professional staff member who serves as a guide, mentor, and advocate. The program is tailored to meet the needs of the referred youth and the family.
• Youth Leadership Program: A Youth Leadership Institutue is offered for high school-aged youth to develop leadership and team building skills and increase the community awareness of young people. The Youth Leadership Program curriculum features a challenging series of lessons, exercises, a needs analysis, goal setting, team building, project planning, decision making, and other leadership dynamics. The Leadership Program features guest speakers who address areas of college preparation, job readiness, career exploration, and communication skills. 
• The Bridge Program:   In 2003 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County received a federal grant from the Department of Health and Human Services. This collaborative mentoring program is designed for the youth of Bucks County, ages 4-15, who have a parent or close relative that is incarcerated. Big Brothers Big Sisters will cultivate relationships between children and trained, caring adult mentors. The BRIDGE strives to serve 300 or more Bucks County children over the next three years. In September 2006, this national grant was renewed for an additional three years. In addition, BBBS has a grant from the Rohm & Haas Community Partnership Initiative for a Bridge program focusing on Bristol Borough and parts of Bristol Township.

•  

  How a Big becomes a Big (and a Little 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.

More information on volunteering »
Volunteer now »
More information on enrolling a child » 
Enroll a child now »
More info on child safety » 

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 information on volunteering »
Volunteer now »
More information on enrolling a child » 
Enroll a child now »
More info on child safety » 

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.

Donate now »
More information on donating »

Ready to Get Involved?

Sign up to be a volunteer »
Donate to support our programs »
Enroll a child »