Being a kid is tough. There are things kids would rather not talk to parents or peers about, and kids often have hobbies and interests outside of their parents’ experience. Having a mentor gives kids an outlet for these conversations and interests while also creating community. We’ve all heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Having a Big means having one more safe adult in your village.
Mentorship has proved to have a positive impact on mental health and educational achievement. We often hear from parents and guardians that their children are experiencing disconnection, loneliness, and post-COVID learning loss. Mentorship offers a solution.
Littles in our program come from all walks of life and parents/guardians enroll them for varying reasons; whether it’s having another friend, seeking support navigating the complexities of young adulthood, exploring potential careers, or just wanting to experience something new.
Finding the right Big is our specialty!
We have been matching children between the ages of 6 to 17 years with adult volunteer mentors in King, Pierce, and Kitsap County for over 60 years. Our professional staff carefully assesses each child and mentor during the enrollment process to find the right Big/Little match.
All parties involved in the match, including the youth, the parent/guardian, and the Big, are interviewed independently to ensure a complete understanding and create the best fit for each child.
You know what’s best for your child, so your involvement is key to fostering a successful mentoring relationship. You are a key partner during each step of the enrollment process and throughout the life of the match. Here are some of the key ways you will be involved:
Big Brothers Big Sisters was first founded in New York City over 100 years ago. During that time we have learned a great deal about mentorship, including why it’s critical for lifelong success and how it impacts youth outcomes.
Adult mentors are paired with youth ages 6-19 for a minimum of one year
When you enroll a child, you’ll go through a series of steps that will help us match the child with the right mentor.
Your child’s safety is extremely important to us. We require all potential 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.
Every prospective volunteer mentor is required to complete an application, provide personal and professional references, an interview, pass two background checks – State and National – and complete two pre-match trainings.
We ensure child safety through intensive enrollment procedures as well as monthly match support calls used to monitor the status of the match and provide any additional coaching and resources as needed.
All Bigs MUST complete two pre-match trainings:
1 hour course which covers mentoring styles, an agency overview, youth safety and protection.
The second course is facilitated by two staff members during which we cover a variety of scenarios that may come up in the match and discuss ways to respond to help them feel more prepared to step into their mentor role.
Bigs must: be at least 18-years old, be available to meet with their Little for 4 hours per month, have a government issued ID, show stability in both their personal and work life, demonstrate appropriate social behavior and relationships with peers, demonstrate a healthy balance of interests and activities.
Those applying to be Bigs will be automatically denied if any of the following exist:
Applicants with past history of any harm against children or vulnerable adults or inappropriate behavior – accusations, charges, or convictions – results in automatic denial.
Applicants who have been accused, charged, or convicted of harm against adults must be reviewed and approved by the Chief Programs & Impact Officer.
Termination from a paid or volunteer position caused by misconduct with a child will result in automatic denial.
Bigs and applicants cannot be involved in any pending criminal charges.
Applicants with any felony charges within the last five years will be automatically denied.
We do NOT allow people to use this program to fulfill community service hours for a criminal conviction (including parole or probation).
Applicants with less than two years of sobriety following a history of alcohol or drug abuse will be automatically denied.
Applicants using any illegal drug use within the past 2 years will be automatically denied.
Applicants with a DUI within the past two years will be automatically denied.
Applicants demonstrating or expressing any strong racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or religious discriminatory views or opinions, whether written, spoken, or implied will be automatically denied.
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Our mentors, known as Bigs, are the heart and soul of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound. These dedicated individuals come from various walks of life, united by their commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people. Bigs are caring, compassionate, and patient, always ready to offer a listening ear and a guiding hand. They volunteer their time to build meaningful relationships with their Littles, offering support, encouragement, and friendship. Whether they are helping with homework, exploring new hobbies, or simply sharing a conversation, Bigs provide invaluable guidance and inspiration.
Bigs are mentors who help Littles see their own potential. Bigs are safe, consistent adults in young people’s lives who are outside of the family unit. They come from diverse backgrounds, bringing unique perspectives and experiences that enrich the mentoring relationship. Despite their busy lives, they prioritize their commitment to their Littles, often forming bonds that last well beyond the program. The impact of a Big extends far beyond the immediate support they provide—by fostering confidence and resilience they help shape the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow. Through their unwavering dedication, Bigs transform lives and strengthen our community.
