Becoming a mentor (BIG)
changes two lives for the better
You have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a child's life by volunteering as a mentor. Just a few hours each month can help shape a young person's future.
YOU HAVE A BIG OPPORTUNITY
You have a BIG opportunity in front of you—to not only impact a child's life today—but to transform their potential for tomorrow.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana serves children and young adults who want and need a mentor. Each match is supported by a dedicated Match Support Specialist who is always there to provide resources and support specific to each Little's age.
To meet our community's mentoring needs, we pride ourselves on celebrating inclusiveness and welcome all volunteer Bigs; regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, nation of origin, sexual orientation, gender expression, or socioeconomic status.
ONE-TO-ONE MENTORSHIP
With a Youth mentee (Little) aged 7-16
2-3
OUTINGS PER MONTH
2
HOURS PER OUTING
1+
YEAR COMMITMENT TO YOUR LITTLE
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![An adult woman and a young girl are sitting on swings at a park, laughing and enjoying themselves. Other children and adults are visible in the background.]()
"My Little Sister, Rae, has been talkative, but I think she's been able to become more comfortable and open to who she is. I'm normally an introvert, and Rae brings out a chatty side of me! We're always talking, joking, and being lighthearted."
Big Sister Morgan
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![Two smiling men standing inside a bowling alley, wearing matching red and white shirts with text and arrows, during a celebration or event.]()
"I was matched before I had kids of my own, so [being a Big] allowed me to develop patience, empathy, and the ability to lead by example. All things that have proved so valuable as a parent. "
Big Brother Steve
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![Two men in golf attire standing next to a golf cart on a golf course. They are smiling, and golf clubs are visible in the golf cart.]()
"Being a Big isn't a one-way connection where I'm the one providing support for him, or giving him the ability to grow. It's something where I've also changed throughout. This is an opportunity for both the Big and Little to grow into being better people."
Big Brother Miles
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![A man and a young boy standing together smiling, with the man’s arm around the boy’s shoulders, against a plain wall background.]()
"We met when he was 8 years old and not very tall, and now he's 6'4 or 6'5 calling me a shrimp! From the time that he was young and looking at who he is now, he's just much more confident, and he's got a little 'swag' to him."
Big Brother Tory
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![Two men in a professional setting shaking hands and talking. A woman in the background holding a coffee cup.]()
"As a psychologist, I know the short and long term impact a positive, meaningful relationship between a Big and Little can have on the child. HAVING BEEN A BIG FOR 5 LITTLES OVER 30 YEARS, I’VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO SEE EACH ONE GROW AND THRIVE."
Big Brother Joe
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![Two women smiling at the camera at a stadium, one wearing a denim jacket and the other in a floral dress with a shoulder brace, with the stadium seats and field in the background.]()
"Just take the leap! The Big Brothers Big Sisters program matches you so well that after an hour, I feel like we'd known each other forever."
Big Sister Kat
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![A man in a black suit and white shirt standing indoors, smiling at the camera.]()
"I’m a BIG fan of giving back to the community, and mentoring is one mechanism of doing so. For me, it's about the personal satisfaction and fulfillment in helping others succeed, grow, and achieve their goals. There's no better feeling than that!"
Big Brother Elias
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![A smiling young African American woman with long dreadlocks, wearing a black shirt with bold text and a necklace against a gray background.]()
"My Big Sister has helped me set achievable goals, excel academically, and get ready to attend college. I'm excited to have her as a friend for life!"
Little Sister Daesha
Become a big
Become a big
- 01 -
Submit Interest Form
Complete our brief online application and watch our introductory info video to start your journey.
- 02 -
volunteer
Interview
Meet with our team to learn about the program so we can understand your preferences and personality.
- 03 -
Background check & references
We'll chat with the references you provide in your application and perform a background check.
- 04 -
ready to be
matched!
Before meeting matched with a Little, you’ll attend orientation and get all the necessary training from our staff.
- 05 -
Start Mentoring
Start your mentoring journey by meeting your Little alongside BBBSKY staff. After that, you’ll get ongoing support from our professional staff.
WHY BLACK MEN MAKE GREAT MENTORS
Representation matters — and our Littles are looking for role models who reflect their lived experience.
Many of the youth waiting for a mentor are young Black boys, and we've seen firsthand how powerful it is when they're matched with a Big who shares their lived experiences. If you're a Black man considering mentorship, you already have what it takes to make a life-changing difference.
"I didn’t realize how much he needed someone like me until I showed up.”
MENTORSHIP IN ACTION
Ready to become a Big?
Not quite ready yet?
We have volunteer opportunities all year long! Our Big for a Day program will keep you connected with the agency and give you opportunities to be an ambassador for mentorship.
The big blog
FAQS
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Our Bigs come from diverse backgrounds just like our Littles. They are regular people, just like you. You don’t need any special degrees or job skills. You just have to want to positively impact a young person. Our mentors are an inclusive group from all walks of life, including diverse ages, ethnicities, genders, religions, sexual orientation, countries of origin, and socioeconomic status. Role models come in all shapes and sizes, and you could be a perfect fit!
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As a Big/Little team, you decide together what you want to do and obtain parental approval. We recommend that you keep a consistent schedule of outings and get together on a regular basis. Your local agency will provide more guidance on this. Until your relationship is established, the outings will also depend on the comfort level of your Little’s parents, your Little, and you.
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The quality of time invested with your Little is more important than the amount of money you spend. That’s why we don’t encourage spending a lot of money on your outings. The goal of the relationship is to help your Little see the world through a different lens so you can inspire them to become something they never thought possible. If you are going to spend money, we encourage you to seek out low-cost activities, especially in the beginning. Shoot hoops at a local park, play a game together, or share that pizza that you were going to have for lunch anyway. Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies offer donor-supported group activities that are a great way to meet other Bigs and Littles. As a Big, you may also receive notices for free tickets to cultural and sports activities for both of you to enjoy.
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Share an activity that gives you something in common to talk about. Buy a comic book to read together. Play a board game. Go to the library to check out a book and read together. Go on a nature walk. Hit a bucket of golf balls at the local driving range. Or hang out and talk about the music you like. You want to select activities that give each of you a chance to learn more about one another. For children, playing can be learning. Most important: keep it simple and enjoy yourselves!
Visit a museum, park, arboretum, or zoo (in-person or virtually)
See a movie or documentary
Go to the library
Play a board game, cards, or work on a puzzle
Start a book club together
Work on homework together
DIY Science project or check out virtual STEM activities
Go for a bike ride, hike, fish, go for a run, or play basketball
Tour a local college campus or attend a local college sporting event at University of Louisville, Bellarmine, Spalding, Simmons College, Indiana University Southeast, etc.
Take a cooking class or crafts workshop
Go to a driving range or minigolf
Check out a local farmer’s market
Ask your match support specialist for more ideas!
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In the beginning, it’s important for you and your Little to get to know each other. This can happen best on a one-to-one basis. However, over time it’s also valuable for your Little to get to know the people who are important to you. Just keep in mind that if you’re spending lots of time with others, your Little may begin to feel jealous or neglected. The main focus is the friendship you develop with your Little and the impact you have on their life.
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Once you are matched with your Little Brother or Little Sister, a professionally trained Match Support Specialist from the agency will be in regular contact with you to provide assistance and give feedback. Your Match Support Specialist is always there to support you and your Little. They’ll help you with ideas for activities, guidance for handling possible difficult situations, and provide feedback on how you are making a difference.
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No, Littles have a parent or guardian in their life already. What they need is a Big to spend quality, one-on-one time with them. Someone to have fun with and someone they can confide in: someone like you!
Whether you're a mentor looking for your next Big-Little outing idea or a family wanting to stretch the season as far as it'll go, the Louisville metro and Southern Indiana area is packed with adventures that won't cost you a thing!