A Big is matched with a Little ages 6-14 with the commitment to see each other two to four times per month for a couple hours. Matches spend time together in the local community and plan their own outings, based on activities they like to do, such as playing catch, reading books, or getting ice cream.
A mentor is paired with a high school student at select partner schools. Mentoring takes place each week during the school year through online communication on our proprietary platform complemented with pre-scheduled in-person events every 4 to 6 weeks. mentor2.0 is more flexible on the mentor’s schedule and designed to help students graduate high school prepared for the future.
A Big meets with a Little 2-4 times a month throughout the school year during a non-core class, extended lunch break or after school. Bigs and Littles work on homework together, play games, throw a ball around, or simply share stories with one another.
Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring can take place in a variety of forms and targeted populations to meet their unique needs.
serving children with incarcerated parents and family members
More than five million children across the U.S. have a parent in prison. Children with 1-2 incarcerated parents have a 70-90% chance of ending up in prison themselves and are more likely to face immense challenges including cycles of poverty, abuse, academic failure, dropping out of school, and even incarceration themselves. These children, coined “Amachi” for the Nigerian Ibo word meaning “who knows what God has brought us through this child”. “Amachi” signifies children who are in dire need of one more supportive, caring adult in their lives to help them reach their full potential and thrive as productive members of society.
uniting faith-based individuals and organizations with mentoring
In many religious traditions, helping others in your community is embedded within the religious culture, often seen as a way of living out religious beliefs. This call to service often leads individuals and congregations to mentoring. Faith-based mentors are those who identify themselves as religious, participate in the program as part of their religious congregation, or through the BIG HOPE Network.
hosting students from a nearby school at a corporate partner’s office
Through a site-based, sponsored partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, companies give back to the community by hosting a group of Littles from a nearby school at their corporate office. Littles meet in the workplace with an employee Big two to four times per month during the school day for an hour. Our staff manages the program on-site while Bigs and Littles play games, help with schoolwork, tour the office, or just share stories with one another.
engaging high school students as mentors
When local high schools are positioned near an elementary school, it presents a unique school-based opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to serve as volunteer mentors to elementary students. High School Bigs meet collectively and are paired one-to-one with a Little. Group meetings are facilitated by our staff who provide structured activities, encourage reading together, and supervise the match relationships.
partnering with retirement, assisted-living, and senior groups
Being a mentor is not reserved for only young adults, but for the young at heart. Often times we hear potential mentors say, “I wish I would have done that when I was younger,” thinking they are, in their opinion, “too old.” However, with decades of knowledge, a wealth of experiences, and spare time to share, retired individuals, empty-nesters, and grandparents make the best mentors. Generations partners with these mentor-rich communities to encourage seniors to volunteer with children needing a mentor.
introducing Littles to the outdoors through nature-filled match events and activities
Bigs Outdoors program matches Littles with an interest in the outdoors with caring adults who want to pass on their passion for the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, shooting sports, water sports, hiking, camping, and bird-watching are just a few of the options that let the Little enjoy the wonders of the great outdoors.
serving children of military families and engaging military members as mentors
We recognize children with a parent in the military face unique challenges due to the stresses of military life. Military Mentoring provides services to children of those who have faithfully served our country – active duty military personnel, veterans, reservists, National Guard and those who are wounded or lost their lives – by selectively pairing them with a volunteer mentor that has a unique understanding of the lifestyle of our armed service families.
This program is supported by a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. The Fund for Veterans’ Assistance provides grants to organizations serving veterans and their families.
mentoring a Little alongside your significant other or family members
Mentoring can be better, together. By becoming a Big Couple or Big Family, you can impact the life of a child in need alongside your significant other (in a long-term relationship of at least two years) or even with your entire family. This program provides the flexibility to have outings with your “Little” both together and/or individually. It is a great way to spend time together while also positively impacting the life of a child.
connecting youth and police through mentoring
Bigs in BlueSM is a national initiative aiming to connect our youth with local police in order to build strong, trusting, and lasting relationships that have the power to strengthen entire communities.
encouraging men to step up and mentor boys
More than two-thirds of children waiting for a mentor are boys requesting a positive, caring male mentor. Studies have shown that the lack of a male figure in a boy’s life increases the likelihood of performing poorly in school or getting involved in crime. Through intentional campaigns and partnerships, the Real Men Mentor campaign meets men where they are in order to encourage them to be a male mentor that a boy can turn to and emulate as they grow up.
Big Brothers Big Sisters proudly serves the LGBTQ community.
A 2019 report from the Trevor Project shows that just ONE accepting adult can reduce the risk of a suicide attempt by 40 percent.
Our goal is for all LGBTQ youth to have access to a safe and supportive mentoring relationship with a caring adult. One in three children will grow up without a mentor. The Trevor Project estimates that LGBTQ youth make up 5-7% of the nation’s youth, with 13-15% of those in the juvenile justice system being LBGTQ. Compared to non-LGBTQ peers, LGBTQ youth:
Good mentors can change a mentee’s life trajectory by helping them learn new skills, form positive relationships, broaden their horizons, talk through challenges, gain self-esteem, and fulfill their potential.
providing female empowerment programs
Girls are bombarded with unrealistic expectations every day. Sisters Rock combines the power of mentoring with opportunities for girls to gain insight on issues they face every day to prepare and empower them to become the best version of themselves, with the guidance and support of a trusted friend – their Big Sister. Topics covered include: healthy relationships, success in school and career, and positive self-esteem.
sharing game tickets and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities with matches
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including our love of sports. Thanks to generous individuals who donate in-kind and special partnerships with local sports teams, Sports Buddies provides Bigs various opportunities to share their passion of sports with their Little such as tickets to games, sports clinics, and special player appearances, and more.
For a list of available programs in your area, please visit your local market homepage.
450 E John Carpenter Freeway
Suite 300
Irving, TX 75062
Phone: 888.887.BIGS (2447)
Fax: 866.405.2447