When you volunteer to become a mentor, you commit to sharing new experiences that create lifelong memories. Bigs are out in the community, building strong, supportive relationships with their Littles through fun and meaningful activities.
Bigs are everyday people just like you from across the region who make a lasting impact on young lives. Whether you’re shooting hoops, playing video games, or hiking local trails, there’s a kid who likes those same things, waiting for a mentor like you.
Becoming a mentor will help you and your Little grow and learn together. It’s a rewarding two-way journey, where youth benefit from your guidance, and you’ll find yourself learning valuable lessons. Besides, there are the friendships you build, the advice you exchange, and the skills you gain along the way.
Volunteering with kids is a meaningful action that you can take to make a difference. When you become a mentor you will make a positive impact, build lifelong friendships, and develop valuable leadership skills. It’s a fulfilling way to give back to the community, grow alongside a young person, and make a lasting difference in their life and your own.
Mentors and youth connect independently for at least four hours each month, and have regular check-ins with Big Brothers Big Sisters staff.
Our community-based program lets you and your mentee set goals and plan activities together, tailoring the experience to fit your unique connection and shared preferences.
With the support of and resources offered by BBBSPS, you and your mentee get to live out your own definition of successful mentorship.
Site-based programs have more structure, providing a designated location, organizing regular activities, and guiding you and your mentee.
Our site-based programs help you build a strong relationship with your Little, and a staff member is right there with you to offer additional support.
With BBBSPS facilitators, fellow mentors, and mentees by your side, you have the chance to be part of a vibrant and welcoming community dedicated to making a difference.
When you sign up to become a Big, you’ll go through a series of steps that will help us match you with a Little.
The number 1 thing kids tell us about why they want to have a Big is to have another friend and try new things. Little Brothers tell us they want someone to go fishing with, learn how to work out at the gym, and play video games. Little Sisters tell us they want someone to talk to, a safe adult who isn’t their parent, someone to do arts & crafts with, to dance and joke around…someone to just hang out with.
These amazing young people have adults in their lives who care deeply about them and reach out to us seeking additional support. Littles truly come from all walks of life. Some Littles would like a mentor who shares their background or life experiences and can give them advice about navigating challenging situations and the complexities of young adulthood.
Stats: age range of littles, races, family situation, gender
As a commitment to the safety of young people, we require all mentors to complete an application, three references, references from any Youth Serving Organization they’ve been involved in in the past 5 years, two background checks, fingerprinting, and two pre-match trainings.
While these processes can sometimes feel long and complex, they are geared specifically to help volunteers feel prepared to step into a mentor role and to ensure youth safety.
How long the enrollment process will take can vary widely. The responsibility to complete each step in the enrollment process truly lies with the Big. Bigs who proactively complete all forms and steps are matched more quickly. Another element that can sometimes cause delays is whether we have a Little who is the right match for you at the time of your enrollment. We seek the best possible mentor for each young person and sometimes that can take time.
You have questions, we have answers. Should a question of yours not be answered, we encourage you to contact us here.
Site-based programs bring together multiple Big/Little Matches at specific locations, have pre-made activities, and are run by a BBBSPS facilitator. Community based is a more independent style where one Big and one Little decide together what to do and where to go.
Mentors must be 18 years of age or older, able to pass a thorough background check, provide references, and have the open heart and mind to hold space for a young person.
Being a mentor is fulfilling not only for the Little, but also the Big. Being a mentor allows you to positively impact someone else’s life while simultaneously having yours positively impacted as well. The gift of mentorship provides connection, growth, and support.
