They are regular people, just like you! You don't need special degrees or job skills, just the desire to positively impact a young person. Role models come in all shapes and sizes, and you could be a perfect fit!

Our Littles are children ages 6-18 looking for a mentor in their lives. They are referred by teachers, parents, counselors and partner organizations. Big Brothers Big Sisters assists children most in need including those living in single parent homes, growing up in poverty, or coping with parental incarceration. The one thing they all have in common is they want a mentor to be their friend and help them achieve their goals.

Consistency is the most important part of the mentoring experience. You meet with your Little at least two times per month. As a "match", you and your Little decide what to do. Until your relationship is established, the outings will depend on the comfort level of you, your Little, and their parents. 

Volunteers must be willing to commit to being matched with a child for at least one year and meet with their Little Brother or Sister two to four times per month. Most matches last more than two years and may continue until the child is 18. Every day we hear stories of matches who are still close friends even after their match officially closes!

Quality time with your Little doesn't have a price. The goal of the relationship is to help your Little see the world through a different lens and inspire them to become something they never thought possible. Our agency offers group activities that are a great way to meet other matches. You can also sign up for our Think Big program to receive notices on free tickets for events and activities. 

Take part in an activity you're both interested in! Shoot some hoops at the park, play a game together, talk about music you like - the options are limitless! Select activities where you can both learn about each other. For children, playing can be learning. Most importantly: keep it simple and have fun!

At the beginning of your relationship, it's important for you and your Little to get to know each other which is best achieved on a one-on-one basis. However, over time, it's important for your Little to know who is in your life. Keep in mind your Little may feel rejected or jealous if you spend too much time with others. The main focus is the friendship you and your Little will develop and the impact it will have on their life. 

Littles already have a parent or guardian in their life. They want a Big to spend quality time with; someone to have fun with and to confide in. 

A background check is required for all adult volunteers in contact with minors in our program to assure child safety. The fee is around $35.00. As a non-profit, we are unable to cover the cost of the background check. 

We conduct in-depth interviews with the Bigs, Littles, and parents/guardians enrolling in our program so we can get to know all parties and can make the best match! We make matches based on common interests, personalities, preferences, and geography. 

Once matched, a Program Specialist will be in regular contact with you to provide guidance, support, and feedback. They can help with activity ideas, guidance for handling a difficult situation, and feedback on your experience. Big Brothers Big Sisters also offers trainings and provides resources so that we can ensure that your match is successful. 

Being a Big is life changing for our Littles. Research has found that children who spend 18 months in our program compared to those not in our program were: 

• 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
• 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
• 52% less likely to skip school
• 37% less likely to skip a class
• 33% less likely to hit someone

Littles also report being more confident, increase in positive family relationships, and have more hope for the future. 

Our Volunteer Information Session gives you a formal overview of our programs, the youth we serve, impact and commitment. These sessions are offered 3-4 times per month as 40 minute webinars. Click here to sign up for a webinar.

We would be happy to visit your employer and meet your coworkers to chat about volunteer opportunities as well as how to support Big Brothers Big Sisters. Please call us at 602-393-4138 to schedule a visit. 

You can volunteer in our community-based program or site-based program. In the community-based program, you will meet with a child in the community on days and times that are convenient for you. In the site-based program, you will meet with a child at one of our partner sites on designated days during the child's lunch break or after-school. Our current site-based locations are:

Emerson Elementary
Cross-Streets:  Alma School & University
(MEETS Tuesdays & lunch times vary between 11 AM-1 PM)

Esperanza Elementary
Cross-Streets: Loop 101 & 7th St
(MEETS Thursdays & lunch times vary from 11 AM - 1 PM)

ICAN Youth Center
Cross-Streets:  Arizona Ave & Pecos
(MEETS every other Wednesday from 4:30-5:30 PM)

Loma Linda Elementary
Cross-Streets: 20th St. & Osborn
(MEETS Mondays between 11 AM -1 PM)

Lowell Elementary School
Cross-Streets:  3rd Ave & Buckeye
(MEETS Tuesdays & lunch times vary between 11:30 AM-1 PM)

Maie Bartlett Heard Elementary School  
Cross-Streets:  Thomas & I-17
(MEETS Tuesdays & lunch times vary between 10:30 AM-1 PM)

North Tempe Multi-generational Center (Group Mentoring)
Cross-Streets:Near Scottsdale Rd & McKellips
(MEETS 1st & 3rd Thursday between 4:00-5:00 PM)  

one•n•ten LGBTQ Youth Center
Cross-Streets:  Central Ave and Portland
(MEETS every other Saturday from 11 AM-1 PM) 

Rosenzweig Branch (Group Mentoring)
Cross-Streets: I-17 & Camelback Rd
(MEETS 1st & 3rd Mondays between 4:15-5:00pm)

Sacaton Boys & Girls Club
Cross-Streets:  Seedfarm & Cholla Ave
(MEETS every other Wednesday from 4:30 PM-5:30 PM)

San Marcos Elementary
Cross-Streets:  Frye & Arizona Ave
(MEETS Thursdays & lunch times vary between 11 AM-1 PM)

Scales Technology Academy
Cross-Streets:  5th St & Hardy
(MEETS Thursdays & lunch times vary between 11 AM-1 PM)

UMOM (Group Mentoring)
Cross-Streets: 32nd St and Van Buren
( MEETS 1st & 3rd Wednesday between 3:00-4:00 PM)

No. This is based upon the results of the background check as well as the discretion of the agency. 

Yes you can! You'll have a dedicated and professionally trained Program Specialist who will assist you throughout the duration of the match with helpful suggestions designed to specifically enhance your relationship with your Little. 

We handle this on a case-by-case basis. It is important that you disclose this to us and address it fully. In some instances an offense may not be an obstacle because it is minor or long ago. In other instances, for example a case that is still open, it is a disqualifier. 

Yes. Volunteers who don't have a car can be a Big in one of our site-based programs in which you can meet with a child at a designated site. Additionally, volunteers can become a Big in our community based program if they own or have access to a car they are insured on. 

No. Volunteers can apply to be a Big if they are retired, in college or graduate school, or do not work outside the home.

Yes. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona values diversity, and no person will be denied equal opportunity under applicable laws to volunteer because of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Preferences, fit, and similarity of interests are taken into consideration. As part of the matching process, we will disclose such information to the parent/guardian. If preferences are not aligned, BBBSAZ will work to find a Little who we believe will be a good match for you.

No, we do not allow court-ordered volunteering.