PROGRAMS
You can give a child the invaluable gift of friendship by spending just a few hours together a couple times per month. To be a positive role model can be as simple as playing a board game, going to the playground, or participating in a BBBS activity. Just as your options are unlimited, so is a child’s potential.
Eligibility
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Have a car, valid driver’s license & proof of current automobile insurance
- Complete an in-person interview and a
thorough layered background check
Expectations
- Make a one year minimum commitment to your Little
- Make face-to-face contact with your Little at least twice per month
- Participate in ongoing phone contact with Big Brothers Big Sisters staff throughout the duration of your match
Rewards
- You will have fun!
- By being a consistent and reliable mentor, you will observe first-hand small, but significant changes in your mentee that can have a life-changing impact—on both of you!
SPORTS BUDDIES PROGRAM
Sports Buddies is a version of our Community-based Mentoring Program that matches adult mentors with youth who have a shared interest in sports, fitness, or just being active.
Eligibility
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Have a car, valid driver’s license & proof of current automobile insurance
- Complete an in-person interview and a
thorough layered background check
Expectations
- Make a one year minimum commitment to your Little
- Make face-to-face contact with your Little at least twice per month
- Participate in ongoing phone contact with Big Brothers Big Sisters staff throughout the duration of your match
Rewards
- You will have fun!
- By being a consistent and reliable mentor, you will observe first-hand small, but significant changes in your mentee that can have a life-changing impact—on both of you!
BIG SIBLINGS PROGRAM
Big Siblings is a version of our Community-based Mentoring Program that matches adult mentors with youth in the LGBTQ community.
Eligibility
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Have a car, valid driver’s license & proof of current automobile insurance
- Complete an in-person interview and a
thorough layered background check
Expectations
- Make a one year minimum commitment to your Little
- Make face-to-face contact with your Little at least twice per month
- Participate in ongoing phone contact with Big Brothers Big Sisters staff throughout the duration of your match
Rewards
- You will have fun!
- By being a consistent and reliable mentor, you will observe first-hand small, but significant changes in your mentee that can have a life-changing impact—on both of you!
Sometimes the best place to help a child realize their potential is at a school, community center, or corporate workplace. Whether mentoring occurs in the classroom, gym, or conference room, it’s all about developing a friendship, providing guidance and inspiring children to reach their potential.
Expectations
- Minimum of a one year commitment
- Meet during the school year, with the opportunity to keep in touch through a writing campaign during summer break
- Programs are supervised by Big Brothers Big Sisters staff or school/agency contact
Site-Based Program Options
Corporate Mentoring/Beyond School Walls
Littles are matched with employees from our corporate partners who help foster college readiness and career development.
Be A Middle School Mentor
Students from Pittsburgh Public Middle Schools are matched with adult mentors from the community. Mentors visit once a week for an hour during the school year. Times vary depending on location.
Be A Middle School Mentor is an initiative of the United Way of Southwestern PA.
College Bigs
Students from a partnering college meet with their Littles at lunchtime or after school.
High School Bigs
Must be at least 15 and a sophomore at a participating high school. Programs take place in an elementary or middle school during study hall or after school.
Site-Based Parent Training
CLICK HERE TO VIEW
For parents with children in the Site-Based program. The hope is that after reading through this “training” you will have a better understanding of the program, know your involvement in the mentoring program, and have any questions answered.
If you would like to enroll your child in the Site-Based program, CLICK HERE to complete an application.
BIGS IN BLUE
Bigs in Blue is Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s one-to-one mentoring program that connects youth with police and other law enforcement professionals in communities across the nation, building strong, trusting, and lasting relationships.
Rewards
- You will have fun!
- By being a consistent and reliable mentor, you will observe first-hand small, but significant changes in your mentee that can have a life-changing impact—on both of you!
mentor2.0 is a program developed in partnership with iMentor that brings technology-enriched, one-to-one mentoring to high school students.
Through collaborative efforts with schools, companies, and individuals, mentor2.0 provides high-impact mentoring relationships aimed at giving high school students the support and guidance they need to graduate high school and succeed in post-secondary education.
Eligibility
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Be college-educated (Trade degree or higher)
- Live or work in the Pittsburgh area
Expectations
- Minimum 24 month commitment
- Attend one in-person 2 hour event per month at Brashear High School
- Participate in weekly online communication
with your mentee via a web platform
Rewards
- You will have fun!
- By being a consistent and reliable mentor, you will observe first-hand small, but significant changes in your mentee that can have a life-changing impact—on both of you!
mentor2.0 Parent Training
CLICK HERE TO VIEW
For parents with children in the mentor2.0 program. The hope is that after reading through this “training” you will have a better understanding of the program, know your involvement in the mentoring program, and have any questions answered.
IGNITE POTENTIAL - BE A BIG
OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
MAKE A DONATION
Donating online is the fastest, easiest way to join the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission and help a child. Your financial support allows us to keep doing what we do: empowering kids in your community to achieve their potential. So start a child on their way to becoming an engineer or an artist. All it takes is the click of a mouse.
REFER A FRIEND
You can help to "pass it on" by referring friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc. to the BBBSPGH program. We especially need men to serve as Big Brothers for the boys in our community. Simply complete the contact information and submit it for follow-up. Our Customer Relations Specialist will contact your referral within 48 hours to find out about their level of interest.
