Big meets Little.
Big Brothers Big Sisters targets the children who need us most, including those living in single parent homes, growing up in poverty and coping with parental incarceration. Starting something begins with finding a great match between a Big and a Little. Making these matches, and performing all the background work involved with them, is possible because of donations from people like you. It's also why we're able to offer such a wide variety of programs that pair children, ages 6 through 18, with role models in one-to-one relationships.

Our Programs Start Something
We offer two core types of donor-funded programs: Community-Based and School-Based Mentoring. And no matter when a child enters a program, there’s no limit to where he or she can go.

• Community-Based Programs
  Spending time together out in the local community is primarily how Bigs and Littles develop their relationship. After all, to change a child’s perspective of the world, it helps to spend some time out in it.
   

• School-Based Programs
  Sometimes the best place for enjoying activities together is at the child’s school. And, the best part is, it can be a great learning experience, in or out of the classroom.

How a Big becomes a Big — and a Little, a Little.
Before we make a match, we do our homework. After someone expresses an interest in becoming a Big, they go through an extensive background check and careful interview process. Then we match Bigs and Littles based on location, personalities and preferences. And we provide full support from the start, so matches can grow into lasting, fruitful friendships. It’s also important to note that the entire matching process is made possible through donations—we can’t do what we do best without them!

What’s a Big and Little to do?
Each match is unique. Getting together doesn’t require a special occasion or expensive activity — just a few hours every month doing things the Little and Big already enjoy. For example:

• Playing catch
• Reading books
• Getting ice cream
• Going to a museum
• Providing advice and inspiration

Volunteering is fun, BIG time.
Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is one of the most enjoyable things you’ll ever do. Not to mention, one of the most fulfilling. You have the opportunity to help shape a child’s future for the better by empowering them to achieve. And the best part is, it’s actually a lot of fun. You and your Little can share the kinds of activities you already like to do.  Play sports together. Go on a hike. Read books. Eat a pizza with extra anchovies. Or just give some advice and inspiration. Whatever it is you enjoy, odds are you’ll enjoy them even more with your Little—and you’ll be making a life-changing impact.  Become a Big >

Could your little one could use a Big?
It all starts with the right role models. And Big Brothers Big Sisters is the place to start a relationship with one. For over 100 years, due in large part to private donations, we’ve been able to recruit, screen, match and support mentoring relationships that have changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people across the country — one Little at a time. Enroll your child >