Become a Big
Volunteering as a mentor inspires, empowers, and defends the potential of a child. It makes a big impact in their life and even the life of the volunteer. Make a difference today with our school-site or community-based mentoring programs.
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Mentorship Experience Options
We offer 2 types of mentorship programs: School-site and Community-based. Each program is based on a one year commitment and involves a one-on-one relationship between Big and Little.
Community-based mentoring
- Bigs pick up Littles from their home and do fun activities in the community together.
- Bigs and Littles get together for several hours 2-3 times per month.
- Meetup times are flexible. Bigs and parents or guardians develop a schedule that fits their needs.
- Together you can go to a museum, attend a community event, go to the park or just hang out and talk.
- Your Match Support Specialist is just a phone call away to support you, troubleshoot nuances, or give you activity ideas.
- Attend quarterly Match Activities hosted by BBBS.
School-site mentoring
- Bigs meet their Littles at their school and do fun activities in a classroom or on the playground
- Bigs and Littles meet for 45 minutes every week
- Meetup times are at lunch or after school if there is a community center
- Together you do things at school like play board games, do crafts, throw a football, eat lunch and just make the child feel special
- Refugee Littles and Littles without permanent housing are often served in our school-site program
- "Beyond School Walls", our workplace mentorship program is a branch of the School-site program
1. Apply
Once you’ve decided you’re ready to be a Big, visit the Application page. Fill out the form with the information requested and we will reach out to you within 24-48 hours.
2. Background Check
As part of our screening process we background check and fingerprint all of our volunteers.
3. In-Person Interview
We require all of our volunteers to participate in an face-to-face interview with an Enrollment Specialist at Big Brothers Big Sisters. During this interview we want to learn about you to match you with your perfect Little.
4. Pre-Match Training
At the time of your interview we schedule you for a face-to-face training with a staff member at Big Brothers Big Sisters. This interactive training will give you all of the information you need to know about being a Big and how we will support you.
5. Get Matched
This is where the magic happens! BBBS staff makes meaningful matches through a thoughtful and comprehensive process.
6. Start Your New Friendship
After a facilitated first meeting between you and your Little, your match has begun. We are always here to support the incredible journey between you and your new best friend.
Once you’ve decided you’re ready to be a Big, visit the Application page. Fill out the form with the information requested and we will reach out to you within 24-48 hours.
As part of our screening process we background check and fingerprint all of our volunteers.
We require all of our volunteers to participate in an face-to-face interview with an Enrollment Specialist at Big Brothers Big Sisters. During this interview we want to learn about you to match you with your perfect Little.
At the time of your interview we schedule you for a face-to-face training with a staff member at Big Brothers Big Sisters. This interactive training will give you all of the information you need to know about being a Big and how we will support you.
This is where the magic happens! BBBS staff makes meaningful matches through a thoughtful and comprehensive process.
After a facilitated first meeting between you and your Little, your match has begun. We are always here to support the incredible journey between you and your new best friend.
Still questioning becoming a big?
Becoming a mentor is a big decision but we have lots of resources and support to help.
Readiness Checklist Big FAQ