Our Programs
Community-Based Mentoring
This is our traditional one-to-one mentoring program where we match children between the ages of 7 and 17 (our Littles) with adult role models, ages 21 or older (our Bigs).
Community matches spend time together during at least 2 outings each month (about 4-6 hours total), enjoying low- or no-cost activities right near their homes.
These “long and strong” mentoring relationships provide mentees with a support system to help them set goals, develop resilience, broaden their life experiences and develop the skills to triumph over the social and academic challenges they face.
Site-Based Mentoring
In our Site-Based mentoring program, held at school locations in Port Chester and Yonkers, our matches spend quality time together after school. Our Littles enjoy structured activities with their Bigs, including homework help, art projects, games, career exploration, and one-on-one quality time.
This approach allows our matches to foster meaningful relationships in a comfortable and professional setting. As part of this program, our older Littles also have the opportunity to participate in workshops encouraging vocational development and job-related skill building.
Waitlist Events
Many of our Littles (especially our boys) must spend time on our waitlist while we’re working to match them with their perfect Bigs. We plan monthly group events especially for these children, such as bingo, bowling, table tennis, etc.
Our waitlist events are staffed by volunteers from local companies, colleges, etc. and they’re a win-win: Our children and their families get to know each other and become part of our program and the events are a great way to introduce volunteers to mentoring.
Big Futures College & Career Counseling
Our college and career counseling program for our high school Littles has achieved extraordinary success. In the four years since Big Futures began, all of our program participants have graduated from high school and received scholarships to colleges or post-secondary vocational programs.
As our Littles enter high school, we work intensively with them to set realistic goals and guide them in creating educational and career paths toward achieving those goals. Our rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors participate in our six-week BBBS Summer Internship Program.
Our interns work with trained program leaders, collaborate with staff to complete special projects around the office, meet returning college students who are alumni of the program, and learn from company and community representatives who speak to them on topics ranging from college essay writing to financial planning.
Virtual Tutor
Virtual classes and homework have been a struggle for many of our program participants during the pandemic and Big Brothers Big Sisters has stepped in to help. As a virtual tutor, you’ll spend just one to two hours a week during the school year helping a child with his or her studies and homework.