YOUR IMPACT IS BIG! HOW TO & WHAT TO EXPECT
CHANGE TWO LIVES. YOURS AND THEIRS.
Becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister is one of the most meaningful commitments you can make — and one of the most fun. If you’re wondering what the process looks like, what the time commitment really is, or how BBBS of Broward supports you, this guide walks you through the full journey.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore mentoring or you’ve already started the application, here’s exactly what to expect once you decide to become a Big.
How To Become a Big Brother/Sister Mentor: From Application to First Outing
1. Apply Online
The process begins with a simple volunteer inquiry form. Once submitted, a BBBS staff member will reach out to walk you through next steps, which include a more in-depth volunteer application.
2. Interview & Background Check
You’ll meet with a team member to discuss your experience, interests, and mentoring style. You’ll also complete a background check and provide references — all part of ensuring safe, successful matches.
3. Matching With Your Little
You’re thoughtfully matched based on personality, interests, communication style, and availability. The goal is to set you both up for a relationship that feels natural and rewarding from day one.
4. Meet Your Little for the First Time
Your Match Support Specialist helps coordinate your first meeting, often with the child’s parent or guardian present. It’s relaxed, upbeat, and all about starting a comfortable connection.
5. Begin Your Mentoring Experience
Your outings can be as simple as grabbing a snack, going for a walk, exploring a hobby, or trying something new together. The goal is consistent, meaningful time, not elaborate planning.
THE COMMITMENT: What It Really Looks Like
Life is busy, and committing to a mentoring role can feel intimidating. BBBS makes it doable, through our site-based and community-based programs. Community-based programs are the traditional match types most people are familiar with from Big Brothers Big Sisters. Site-based are more structured and typically take place during the workday over lunch at the Little’s school.
Minimum commitment:
- 12 months
- About 4 hours per month
That’s 48 hours in a full year — the equivalent of two days — to change a child’s life for the better.
Mentoring is flexible around your lifestyle. You and your Little decide together when to meet, and your Little’s parent or guardian approves each outing. Most Bigs say they’re surprised by how easy it is to work mentoring into their normal routines.
Your Support Network: You’re Never Doing This Alone
Once you’re matched, BBBS stays with you every step of the way. You’ll receive regular check-ins, guidance, and encouragement from a dedicated Match Support Specialist. Your support team can help you with:
- Ideas for simple, meaningful outings
- Talking through any challenges
- Understanding what your Little might be experiencing
- Celebrating milestones and progress
- Access to free or low-cost match activities
- Invitations to BBBS events and community experiences
The goal is to ensure your match feels positive, supported, and set up for long-term success.
What Outings Look Like: Keep It Simple
You don’t need to plan grand activities or spend a lot of money. Some of the best moments come from everyday experiences:
- Visiting the library
- Walking in a local park
- Playing a board game
- Reading a comic book together
- Shooting hoops
- Listening to music and talking in the car
Children learn through play and conversation. What matters most is time spent together.
Real Voices: What Bigs Say
“I started my journey as a Big Brother to make a difference for a child, but in the end, Desmond changed my life. I’m proud to be part of an organization that brought joy and fulfillment by connecting me with Desmond, his family, and the amazing BBBS staff.”
-Big Brother Chad Van Horn
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Volunteers must pass a background check and be willing to commit to the program for one year. They must also go through an interview process, provide references, and agree to training prior to being matched.
Volunteers must be at least 18. Youth in the program are typically ages 5 to 17.
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, someone they can confide in, someone like you!
Once you are matched with your Little, a Match Support Specialist from the agency will be in regular contact with you to provide assistance and give feedback. Any time you are unsure about what to do or how to handle a situation, you will have a Match Support Specialist there to help. They’ll help you with ideas for activities, guidance for handling possible difficult situations, and feedback on how you are making a difference.
In the beginning it’s most 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.
Share an activity that gives you something in common to talk about. Go to the library, check out a book and read together. Buy a comic book to read together. Play a board game. Go on a nature walk. Hit a bucket of golf balls at the local driving range. Take a ride in the car with the radio on 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!
The quality of the time you invest 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 your Little 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. 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 you both to enjoy.
As a Big/Little team, you decide together what you want to do and then your Little gets approval from his or her parent. 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. The outings will also depend on the comfort level of your Little’s parents, your Little, and you.
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. Role models come in all shapes and sizes, and you could be a perfect fit.
ONLINE APPLICATION
Ready to be a Big? Just fill out our simple online application. After you complete it, a Big Brothers Big Sisters staff member will contact you shortly.
I started my journey as a Big Brother to make a difference for a child, but in the end, Desmond changed my life. I am proud to be a part of an organization that brought a sense of joy and fulfillment to my life by connecting me with Desmond, his mother, his younger brothers and all of the wonderful Big Brothers Big Sisters staff.
-Big Brother Chad Van Horn
Youth in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward Program*
*Based on our Annual Report 2025