CREATING MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS TO IGNITE THE PROMISE OF YOUTH
Since
1957
About Us

CREATING MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS TO IGNITE THE PROMISE OF YOUTH

For over 60 years, we have operated under the belief that good mentorship is the key to unlocking the incredible potential that inherent in each of us. As Washington’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring organization, we make meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers “Bigs” and young people “Littles” who are between the ages of 6 to 18 years.

  • Mentoring benefits the entire community.
  • It improves youth outcomes, from increased educational attainment to reducing risky behavior.
  • It creates relationships that would not otherwise exist, bridging community and generational divides.
  • For every $1 invested in mentoring, there is over $18 in social return.
4 Key Ways to Get Involved

A LITTLE TIME TODAY CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE TOMORROW

Enroll a Child

Add another safe, consistent adult presence to your child’s life and see the difference it makes.

Become a Big

Take action to make a difference in a child’s life by volunteering to play the role of a mentor.

Partner With Us

Create a stronger, more connected community when you partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Donate

Make a donation that empowers kids, creates life-long connections, and strengthens community.

Challenges Facing Puget Sound Youth

Too many kids do not have a mentor

One in three children in the U.S. don’t have a sustained adult mentor outside of their family. Our region alone has over one million kids.

Youth mental health is at crisis levels

According to the Anne E Casey Foundation’s 2023 study, 58% of young people say their mentor has supported their mental health.

The widening equity gap

Mentorship plays a crucial role in bridging capital and fostering upward economic mobility. We see a 20% increase in upward economic mobility through expanded social networks.

Pressure to engage in risky behavior

Kids who have been through a positive mentor experience are 41% less likely to engage in substance abuse.

LEARN ABOUT OUR

MENTORING PROGRAMS

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound provides three unique mentoring modalities to fit the diverse needs of different participants and communities. These modalities offer accessible options that allow volunteers to build meaningful relationships with youth, are responsive to community needs, and make a lasting impact on the lives of local kids.

Community-Based

Bigs and Littles matched in the community-based program meet up on their own schedule, connecting independently for at least four hours each month. Community-based mentoring is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters model, which has been in use for over 100 years.

Site-Based

Bigs and Littles matched in site-based programs meet up during facilitated sessions at local schools and partner companies’ offices for structured activities. Site-based programs are partnerships between schools, BBBS, corporations, and some government entities.

Group Mentoring

Group mentoring is an innovative new solution developed to meet the needs of young people while decreasing community violence utilizing the “Credible Messenger” model. In group mentoring, we connect several Littles with a single mentor who shares their background and has lived their experiences.

Community-Based

Bigs and Littles matched in the community-based program meet up on their own schedule, connecting independently for at least four hours each month. Community-based mentoring is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters model, which has been in use for over 100 years.

Site-Based

Bigs and Littles matched in site-based programs meet up during facilitated sessions at local schools and partner companies’ offices for structured activities. Site-based programs are partnerships between schools, BBBS, corporations, and some government entities.

Group Mentoring

Group mentoring is an innovative new solution developed to meet the needs of young people while decreasing community violence utilizing the “Credible Messenger” model. In group mentoring, we connect several Littles with a single mentor who shares their background and has lived their experiences.

Years of Service
Counties
+
Local Communities Served
Our

Match Stories

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Our Testimonials

What People Say

Yvan really inspires me to think more about the future. I do feel like I’m talking to my Little Brother.

Jorge  A Big Brother

I admire his guidance and how he helps me … He always gives me advice, helps me work out stuff if it’s not going well. I’ve learned communication skills.. a lot of teamwork.

Mustapha  A Little Brother

Its been really fun to watch you grow up over these years and see your confidence bloom

Rebecca A Big Sister

It’s really fun to live in the world of ‘yes’ with Peytan

Rebecca A Big Sister

Moving from Africa to the U.S. was a big adjustment for me and my daughter. Thanks to Big Brothers Big Sisters and her amazing mentor Bethany, Precious has adapted better, and even our arguments at home have went down.

Cate Ngugi Little Sister's mom

What I would tell someone considering being a mentor is that it doesn’t take a lot of time. Communication is key!

Bethany Big Sister
Mentor and Mentee in Bigs In Tech At Amazon

Abby, you were a great mentor this year and I had lots of fun with you! Hope to see you next year! Pet Louie for me!

Pearl Little Sister in Bigs in Tech
Mentor and Mentee are smiling in Bigs In Tech

Dear Kyle, When we did The pasta tower it was soo fun and we both like snow boarding. I will see you next year

Abdi Little Brother in Bigs in Tech
Amazon employees and students are doing project together

Thanks for all the fun times we had. The lava lamp was the best also I scored my first goal!

Hamza Little Sibling

This feels like the most important work that I have done all year.

A Bigs in Tech Mentor

“It’s not really that we’re [Bigs] helping them, its that we are assisting them in accessing the resources they need to make stuff happen. These kids now; they know whats good. They are brilliant and creative. They’re link: Give me an opportunity and I’ll run with it.”

Darnell Big Brother

“My Little has the crayon box, and she just needs help to identify the colors. Yes, being in the corner as a Big is important, but kids are doing the thing. Whatever she does next is going to be brilliant. It doesn’t even matter if it takes her a while … like the opportunity to witness that was just like … oh, my gosh.”

Anonymous Big Sister

“Having a Big is awesome! It’s like having this incredible friend who’s got my back, helping me navigate the world, and teaching me valuable life lessons.”

Gabriel High School Little

“Big Brothers Big Sisters has been a blessing in my life. All 3 of my children have had Bigs, and each Big has been just the right person to connect with them.”

Chavela Parent of 3 Littles