12 Bigs in 12 weeks

What if every child fulfilled their potential? Think how amazing that would be and how amazing our communities would be. Join our draft today!

Volunteering is fun. Join our Team Today!

Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is one of the most enjoyable things you’ll ever do. Not to mention, one of the most fulfilling. You have the opportunity to help shape a child’s future for the better by empowering them to achieve their full potential. And the best part is, it’s actually a lot of fun. You and your Little can share the kinds of activities you already like to do.

Play sports together. Go on a hike. Read books. Eat a pizza with extra anchovies. Or just give some advice and inspiration. Whatever it is you enjoy, odds are you’ll enjoy them even more with your Little and you’ll be making a life-changing impact.

Volunteering just a few hours a month can make an impact like never before! So why not apply to be a Big today. We have kids on our wait list just ready to get started. Join our team today!

Community-Based Mentoring

This is where we have the largest need for Bigs, especially males.  Being a Community-Based Big means that you can meet up with a child in your community 2 to 4 times per month, for 1 year, to do things you both enjoy on days and times that are convenient for your schedule. Go to the park, watch a sporting event, grab a pizza, do homework or just give some advice and inspiration - you choose the activity and days!

School-Based Mentoring

Meet with your Little Brother or Little Sister at their elementary school for about 45 minutes to 1 hour per week (or at least twice a month) during the child's lunch break and recess time. Bigs and Littles spend time playing games, participating in structured activities, working on homework and hanging out on the playground together. Currently, we offer school-based programs in the Everett, Edmonds, Sultan, and Mukilteo School Districts.

Kids Book Club(s)

Is a type of School-Based mentoring program where struggling readers work in a group setting on literacy skills, including reading comprehension, discussion skills, and writing responses to age-appropriate literature.  Our Kids Book Club(s) usually meet once a week during lunch/recess time or after school with 2 Bugs and a group of 4 – 6 Littles.

Form a Company-Based Mentoring Program

We can work with you to customize a program where your company employees meet with children from a local school during their lunch time. We call this program Beyond School Walls.  Typically, students (Littles) are bused to your place of business twice a month and are matched with employees (Bigs) for approximately 9 months.  During the time together, Bigs and Littles play games, participate in group activities, and work on homework - all while enjoying lunch together.

MentorU leverages the proven power of mentoring for college and career success. This mentoring program partners with a local high school, where the high school students communicate with their mentors through online portals as well as meet up once a month at their high school. MentorU provides screened and trained volunteer mentors for incoming freshmen and sophomores enrolled in an academic enrichment class for students facing academic and personal challenges intended to keep them on track for graduation and success. The mission of MentorU is to help high school students develop personal, academic and career skills.

Small Group Mentoring 

Small Group Mentoring (SGM) is a group mentoring program designed to address the needs of Littles awaiting a one-to-one match and engaging our Bigs. It provides Bigs and Littles the opportunity to participate in facilitated group mentoring activities. All children and volunteers accepted into our program can immediately become members until matched in the Community-Based mentoring program. SGM Bigs are required to attend at least six (6) activities per year; thus, many additional volunteers with busy schedules have the opportunity to mentor with the agency if they don’t have enough time for a Community-Based or School-Based match.

PLEASE NOTE: This program does not launch until January 2023.

Step 1: Application

Inquire and complete the online application. Upon inquiring you will receive a call and/or email from our agency within 72 hours to answer any questions and help make sure all of your information is submitted and complete.

In addition to your application, you’ll be asked to supply several pieces of information: a copy of your driver’s license, a printed statement of your auto insurance liability coverage, and the names of three references.

We will run local and national background check(s), these take about 24-72 hours to complete.

Step 2: VOLUNTEER INTERVIEW

Once all applications materials have been received and background checks have been completed, you will receive an email to sign up for an in-person (located at the Everett YMCA) or Zoom interview with a Case Manager.

This interview is to get to know you better, so that Big Brothers Big Sisters can help make a match that takes into account your interests, background, and personality. After a final decision on acceptance in the program is reached, we will use the information you provided during the interview to find a “Little” who would be a good match for you. 

Step 3: PRE-MATCH TRAINING

All enrolling Bigs are required to attend a Pre-Match Training, which will provide you with an overview of the services offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters and information on child safety, agency policies, boundaries, and healthy youth/mentor relationships. These trainings are in-person and hosted at the Everett YMCA , post-interview your Case Manager will email you the link to RSVP to a date.

Another required training is "Child Abuse Prevention Training" through the Redwood Institute. This is a 1 hour, online training. 

Step 4: Match Meeting

A match meeting will be scheduled with your Case Manager, your Little, and with the parent/guardian. This is a chance for you to start getting to know each other in a supported environment. Your Case Manager will help you introduce yourselves, go over ground rules and policies, and help you talk through what your first meeting together might be.

Step 5: Ongoing Support

Once the match is underway, you will be free to make plans to meet with your Little in the community with approval by their parent/guardian. Your Case Manager will support you throughout your match relationship, through regular contact. These contacts are made mostly by phone or in person, and they give you an opportunity to celebrate your successes and voice any concerns you may have with someone who cares and is dedicated to making your match a lasting and fun mentor relationship.