Changing Lives for the Better, Forever

Looking to get involved? Whether you’re interested in donating, volunteering or enrolling your child, Big Brothers Big Sisters offers several types of programs in communities across the country.

Youth Mentoring Programs for Phoenix Volunteers. Looking to get involved? Whether you’re interested in donating, volunteering or enrolling your child, Big Brothers Big Sisters offers several types of programs in communities across the country.

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 in Central Arizona. Starting something begins with finding a great match between a Big (a volunteer and mentor) 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 a variety of programs that pair children, ages 6 to 18, with role models in one-to-one relationships. 

 

How a Big becomes a Big and a Little, a Little

Before we make a match, we do our homework. After someone expresses an interested 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
  • Attending a sporting event
  • Going to the movies

For more information about all of our programs, contact Patrick Phillips, Director of Community Outreach, at pphillips@bbbsaz.org.

 

Volunteer Opportunities that Fit Your Schedule

Community-Based Mentoring: Meet up with your Little at least two times per month for one year to do things you enjoy when you both have the time. Explore your common interests by attending a sporting event, going for a hike, or cooking together! It's up to you and your Little. You'll be invited to exclusive match activities including sporting events, attractions, and gaming entertainment. 

Site-Based Mentoring: Visit one of our partner sites to meet your Little for one hour per week (or at least 2 times per month) during their lunch break or after school. You will meet with the same child each week and can spend time eating lunch, participating in structured activities, playing games, working on homework, or hanging out on the playground.

 

Special Programs

Native American Mentoring

The Future Inspired Native American Leaders Mentoring Program is a partnership with Phoenix Indian Center. Native American High School youth are matched with adult volunteers and have additional opportunities to participate in cultural and college/career readiness activities together! Site-based programs at Emerson Elementary School and at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Sacaton match high school students with elementary school students in one-to-one mentoring relationships and they participate, along with other matches, in educational, cultural, and social activities that help them build a stronger relationship with each other and with their community. 

Big Futures Plus (BF+)

What is Big Futures Plus?

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona is excited to welcome you to the next level of support titled Big Futures Plus. Big Futures Plus is offered for Littles ages 16+ who were previously matched in the Big Futures program (grades 9 to 12) and would like specialized resources, opportunities, event invites and support specific to their strengths, interests and goals that will support their success into their early 20s. 

What does BBBS offer to Big Future Plus Matches?

  • Specialist support with a Big Futures Specialist
  • Guided goal setting
  • College and trade school scholarships
  • Volunteer events and opportunities
  • Annual graduation event

Career and College Readiness Resources

An extensive list of resources specific to students planning for life after high school is always available. Stay connected with these resources through:

To learn more about volunteering in one of these programs, please visit our Volunteer page.

To learn about our programs for your child, please visit our Enroll a Child page.