How it all comes together

Big Brothers Big Sisters operates in almost 370 communities across the United States - large and small, urban and rural. Our local agencies work with their colleagues across the nation to design and develop programs that are tailored to the needs of their community.

Big Brothers Big Sisters partners with individual donors, foundations, corporations, governments, and others to build the critical network of support that funds and enables the work of carefully matching children with caring adult mentors and providing ongoing support to the child, volunteer mentor and child’s family.

Professionally trained Big Brothers Big Sisters staff members work with our partners in the education and juvenile justice communities to find children facing adversity and assess how our programs can have the greatest impact. 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.

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 a 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, impactful friendships. The entire matching process is made possible through donations—we can’t do what we do best without them!

What are 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
• Going to a museum
• Providing advice and inspiration

Some Bigs meet their Littles on the weekends. Others get together with their Littles in the evenings. Each match develops a schedule that works for them. Community Based mentors must be 18 or older. Outdoor Adventure Mentors must be 21 or older. Learn more about our community-based mentoring program opportunities.

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. That's why some Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Black Hills offers opportunities for school-based mentoring.  School Mentors must be at 16 years or older. When applying to become a mentor, a High School volunteer must be a sophomore or junior.

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