Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire

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Exclusive information for current volunteer mentors

Current partners and how to become a partner

Thank you for your interest in becoming a much needed mentor to an at-risk child in our community. The men and women who volunteer to become Big Brothers and Big Sisters come from many different cultures and backgrounds, range in age from 18 to 70, speak many languages, and have a wide diversity of jobs, but they all share a common goal — to provide a child in need with the one-to-one support, guidance, and friendship needed to reach his or her potential.

It takes a special person to be a Big Brother or Big Sister, and not everyone can qualify for and make the commitment to our program. At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we don’t just match any adult with any child — we build relationships between adults and the youth of our communities.

There are many factors we consider when someone applies to be a Big Brother or Big Sister:

To learn more about you, we do a thorough background and reference check.
We look at your interests, and weigh them against the preferences and needs of the children and families who come to us for help.
And we consider your ability to commit to the program for a minimum of one year, but we are interested in creating relationships that last much longer (our average match lasts 30 months).

The length of the match is incredibly important to the impact the relationship has on the child. Many of the children in our program have had losses in their lives, and our research shows that “Big/Little” matches that last less than a year can have a negative effect on the child.

As much as we appreciate people’s interest, not everyone who applies has what it takes to be a Big Brother or Big Sister.

Please carefully review the two types of programs we offer, read some stories from our current Bigs and Littles, and if you feel that being a Big Brother or Big Sister is right for you, fill out our online application form.

Click the "Get Started" button below to be linked to the National Website's On-Line Application. Select Be a Big Brother or Be a Big Sister and then enter your zip code to be directed to the on-line application. Select Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire to get started.

Get Started Now

Community-Based Program
In the community-based program, Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers provide children and youth - our "Littles" - individualized time and attention on a regular basis, typically 2-4 times a month, for two to three hours. During weekly or bi-weekly outings, filled with conversations and shared activities, they develop a relationship that helps youth manage the every day challenges that are part of "growing up". During the time with their Big, children gain new skills, explore new interests and expand their experience base beyond their family or neighborhood.
School-Based Program
Through our school-based program, volunteers offer children and youth individualized time and attention on a consistent basis, with the venue being the child's school rather than the community. Teachers identify those children who can most benefit from an extra caring adult in their lives. Volunteers and children meet regularly during the school year - typically each week, utilizing the resources available within the school: computer labs, the library, the gym, a classroom, or the schoolyard.