CREATING MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS TO IGNITE THE PROMISE OF YOUTH
Since
1957
About Us

CREATING MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS TO IGNITE THE PROMISE OF YOUTH

For over 60 years, we have operated under the belief that good mentorship is the key to unlocking the incredible potential that inherent in each of us. As Washington’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring organization, we make meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers “Bigs” and young people “Littles” who are between the ages of 6 to 18 years.

  • Mentoring benefits the entire community.
  • It improves youth outcomes, from increased educational attainment to reducing risky behavior.
  • It creates relationships that would not otherwise exist, bridging community and generational divides.
  • For every $1 invested in mentoring, there is over $18 in social return.
4 Key Ways to Get Involved

A LITTLE TIME TODAY CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE TOMORROW

Enroll a Child

Add another safe, consistent adult presence to your child’s life and see the difference it makes.

Become a Big

Take action to make a difference in a child’s life by volunteering to play the role of a mentor.

Partner With Us

Create a stronger, more connected community when you partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Donate

Make a donation that empowers kids, creates life-long connections, and strengthens community.

Challenges Facing Puget Sound Youth

Too many kids do not have a mentor

One in three children in the U.S. don’t have a sustained adult mentor outside of their family. Our region alone has over one million kids.

Youth mental health is at crisis levels

According to the Anne E Casey Foundation’s 2023 study, 58% of young people say their mentor has supported their mental health.

The widening equity gap

Mentorship plays a crucial role in bridging capital and fostering upward economic mobility. We see a 20% increase in upward economic mobility through expanded social networks.

Pressure to engage in risky behavior

Kids who have been through a positive mentor experience are 41% less likely to engage in substance abuse.

LEARN ABOUT OUR

MENTORING PROGRAMS

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound provides three unique mentoring modalities to fit the diverse needs of different participants and communities. These modalities offer accessible options that allow volunteers to build meaningful relationships with youth, are responsive to community needs, and make a lasting impact on the lives of local kids.

community based program

Community-Based

Bigs and Littles matched in the community-based program meet up on their own schedule, connecting independently for at least four hours each month. Community-based mentoring is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters model, which has been in use for over 100 years.

Site-Based

Site-Based

Bigs and Littles matched in site-based programs meet up during facilitated sessions at local schools and partner companies’ offices for structured activities. Site-based programs are partnerships between schools, BBBS, corporations, and some government entities.

Group Mentoring

Group Mentoring

Group mentoring is an innovative new solution developed to meet the needs of young people while decreasing community violence utilizing the “Credible Messenger” model. In group mentoring, we connect several Littles with a single mentor who shares their background and has lived their experiences.

Community-Based

community based program

Bigs and Littles matched in the community-based program meet up on their own schedule, connecting independently for at least four hours each month. Community-based mentoring is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters model, which has been in use for over 100 years.

Site-Based

Site-Based

Bigs and Littles matched in site-based programs meet up during facilitated sessions at local schools and partner companies’ offices for structured activities. Site-based programs are partnerships between schools, BBBS, corporations, and some government entities.

Group Mentoring

Group Mentoring

Group mentoring is an innovative new solution developed to meet the needs of young people while decreasing community violence utilizing the “Credible Messenger” model. In group mentoring, we connect several Littles with a single mentor who shares their background and has lived their experiences.

Years of Service
Counties
+
Local Communities Served
Our Testimonials

What People Say

“My Little has the crayon box, and she just needs help to identify the colors. Yes, being in the corner as a Big is important, but kids are doing the thing. […] Whatever she does next is going to be brilliant. It doesn’t even matter if it takes her a while … like the opportunity to witness that was just like … oh, my gosh.”

Anonymous Big Sister

“Having a Big is awesome! It’s like having this incredible friend who’s got my back, helping me navigate the world, and teaching me valuable life lessons.”

Anonymous High School Little

“Big Brothers Big Sisters has been a blessing in my life. All 3 of my children have had Bigs, and each Big has been just the right person to connect with them.”

Chavela Parent of 3 Littles