Every child is born with endless potential

As a parent, you see your child's potential better than anyone. By allowing them to participate in a Big Brothers Big Sister youth mentoring program, you're starting them down a path to an even brighter, more promising future. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, we committed to unlocking children's potential and defending it. For more than 36 years, we have matched youth (Littles) in our community with committed mentors (Bigs). Littles and their families come from a variety of diverse backgrounds and want their child to benefit from an additional positive role model to nurture their growth. 

Your child’s safety is extremely important to us. Big Brothers Big Sisters conducts a thorough background check on every volunteer in our program, and every relationship is closely monitored and supported by a professionally trained Match Support Specialist. A study conducted by industry leader Civic Enterprises for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America showed overwhelmingly that children in our mentor programs:

Feel better about themselves and more confident overall

Steer clear of drugs and alcohol

Do better in school 

Get along better with their family and friends

We View Our Families As Partners

You know what’s best for your child. So we’ll need your help from the start, providing information about your child’s strengths and needs, and ultimately approving the Big Brother or Big Sister match. But your role doesn’t end there. You'll be involved in every step along the way:

Approving activities and outings for your child and their Big (mentor)

Asking your child questions about those outings, and sharing what you learn with the agency staff

Reporting your child’s progress and milestones to the agency on a regular basis (We will contact you, but we welcome your feedback any time)

Participating in training on child safety offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters staff and communicating with your child about the training he or she receives.

Starting with the initial and best possible match between Little and Big is critical to growth and development. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides child safety tips to you and your child, and we welcome your questions and feedback. Throughout the life of the match, our professional staff will be in ongoing communication with you, your child, and your child's Big. It's the best way to build a safe and strong relationship that will have the most significant impact on your child's future success. Before we begin the matching process, we thoroughly screen potential Bigs. You'll also approve the selection of Big Brother or Big Sister.

Once you meet your child's Big, you will be free to move forward with the mentoring relationship. For community-based mentoring means making plans with your child's Big to meet in the community. You will approve every activity that your child does with their mentor. For site-based mentoring or School to Work, your child's Big will either go to your child's school or regularly interact virtually via the online platform.

Your Match Support Specialist will provide ongoing support to ensure the relationship continues positively; these contacts are done mostly by phone or in person. When talking to your Match Specialist, feel free to share your child's successes! To best assist you, it is essential to voice any concerns you have, no matter how small. Our trained support team will make recommendations to address any issues and take action if necessary. Open communication allows for a lasting, fun, and impactful relationship between you, your child, and your child's Big.

Frequently Asked Questions