Become a Big

A single friendship can change a life—yours included.

As a Big, you'll be matched with a young person who could benefit from having an additional caring adult in their corner. Through consistent encouragement, shared experiences, and genuine connection, you'll help a child build confidence, discover new possibilities, and work toward their goals.

Being a Big isn't about having all the answers. It's about showing up, listening, and building a meaningful relationship that helps a young person feel seen, supported, and valued. Whether you're exploring a new hobby together, attending community events, or simply spending time talking and laughing, the moments you share can have a lasting impact.

What does it take to become a Big?

We carefully match volunteers and youth to help create strong, successful mentoring relationships. Before being matched, all Bigs complete our enrollment process, which includes:

  • An online application

  • Pre-interview questions

  • A personal interview with a program specialist

  • Reference checks

  • Background screening & Fingerprint Processing (for volunteers 18+)

This process helps us get to know you, understand your interests and strengths, and ensure the safety and well-being of every child we serve.

Make a Difference that Matters

The most successful matches are built on trust, consistency, and a shared commitment to growth. As a Big, you'll have the opportunity to celebrate milestones, encourage dreams, and help a young person navigate challenges while creating memories that can last a lifetime.

You don't need special skills or experience—just the willingness to invest in a meaningful connection.

Ready to make a difference? Become a Big and start a friendship that can change two lives forever.

Someone is Waiting for a Big like You!

A young person doesn't need a perfect mentor—they need a caring adult who will show up, listen, encourage, and believe in them.

By becoming a Big, you can help a child discover their strengths, build confidence, and reach new goals while creating a friendship that can leave a lasting impact on both of your lives.

Take the first step today and learn how you can start a life-changing friendship.

Community-Based Big Application

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming A Big

  • Every young person deserves someone who believes in them. As a Big, you'll build a meaningful friendship with a child and help them grow in confidence, discover new opportunities, and work toward their goals. The relationship you build can have a lasting impact—not only on the young person you mentor, but on your own life as well.

  • Being a Big is about spending quality time together and building a genuine connection. You might explore a shared interest, attend a community event, work on a goal, try something new, or simply spend time talking and having fun. There is no perfect activity—the most important thing is showing up and being a positive, supportive presence.

  • Successful mentoring relationships are built through consistency and trust. We encourage Bigs to make mentoring a meaningful part of their lives by showing up regularly and investing in the relationship. The strongest matches are those where both the Big and Little have time to connect, grow, and achieve goals together. We often recommend 4-6 hours a month to help build that consistency. That might look different as schedules flex and change, but staying in communication is the biggest commitment.

  • To help ensure safe and successful matches, all Bigs complete an enrollment process that includes an application, pre-interview questions, a personal interview, reference checks, and a background screening. Our team will guide you through every step.

  • Not at all. You don't need to be an expert, coach, teacher, or counselor. The most important qualities are reliability, compassion, and a willingness to build a meaningful relationship with a young person.

  • Our team takes time to get to know both volunteers and youth so we can create thoughtful matches based on personalities, interests, goals, and preferences. We strive to make matches that have the foundation for a strong and lasting connection.