Our Program
Gulf Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters matches children ages 6 through 15 with mentors in professionally supported one-to-one relationships.
Big Brothers Big Sisters has a variety of volunteer opportunities available.
Matches come together through our two essential programs:
Community-based Mentoring
For as little as an hour a week, Bigs and Littles meet in their community to share fun activities … stories … and a little bit of themselves.
School-based Mentoring
Bigs and Littles meet once a week in a school, on a specific day, at a specific time, for a one hour, to talk and have fun. It’s not about being a tutor … it’s about being a friend.
How a Big becomes a Big (and a Little a Little)
A lot of things have to happen before we make a match. After they express an interest in our volunteer opportunities, all our Bigs go through a thorough background check and careful interview process. Then we match Bigs and Littles based on location, personalities and preferences. And we provide full support for our volunteer programs along the way — so that matches can grow into lasting friendships.
What Bigs and Littles Do
Getting together is a great time for both Bigs and Littles. It doesn’t require a special occasion or expensive activities; just a few hours every month sharing simple things you already enjoy with a young person.
Your donation will make a difference!
Calls come in every day from parents, teachers and guidance counselors. They know what a difference a mentor can make in a child’s life. Your gift can help make Big magic for children in your local community by:
- Helping us to recruit new Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers
- Ensuring that trained professionals match children to caring and responsible Bigs
- Offering one-on-one, ongoing supervision and support for every
match - Providing cultural and social activities to enrich the opportunities for children
Every dollar you give goes directly to
making and supporting matches in your community
Think about a child who has wished for a Big Brother or Big Sister. Someone to have fun with and confide in. Someone to be a mentor. A guide. A friend. Now… think of how your gift could make a difference in that child’s life.
92.2% of every dollar you give goes directly to making and supporting matches; the remainder covers overall program administration.
Ready to Get Involved?
Community-based Mentoring - SIGN UP NOW!
Community-based mentoring is what people typically think of when they think of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. It is where Bigs and Littles hang out for one day per week, for at least one hours’ time. The most important thing is that you can be a consistent caring person in the life of a child. The activities are up to you. It doesn’t require a special occasion or expensive activities; just a few hours every month to share the simple things you already like to do.
School-based Mentoring - SIGN UP NOW!
School-based mentoring is where Bigs and Littles meet only on school grounds. The matches take place at a specific time and place and the two are together of one hour. The time together incorporates the child’s lunch time, but there is plenty of time to play games, read something, be creative, and share stories with your Little.
School-based mentoring is not a tutoring program. However, research has shown that of all children matched with a Big in school:
- 58% improved their school performance
- 65% showed higher levels of self-confidence
- 55% had a better attitude toward school