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  • Get Involved
  • Be A Big: Volunteer
    • Welcome
    • Application
    • Programs
      • Scholarship Program
      • Big Futures Program
    • Enrichment Services
    • Meet Our Matches
    • Requirements
    • FAQs
    • Resources
  • Get A Big: Enroll
    • Welcome
    • Application
    • Programs
      • Scholarship Program
      • Big Futures Program
    • Enrichment Services
    • Meet Our Matches
    • Resources for Families
    • FAQs
  • About
    • Impacts
    • Leadership
      • Executive Board
      • Advisory Council
      • Big Impact Group
      • Foundation Board
    • Our Team
    • Facilities
    • Agency History
      • 50 Years
    • Careers
  • Events
    • BBBS Events
    • Bowl For Kids
    • Ice Ball
    • Scholarship Ceremony
    • Community Events For Matches
  • Donate
    • Give Now
    • Monthly Giving
    • Fund A Friendship
    • Giving Society
    • Donor Advised Funds
    • Corporate Partners
    • Employee Matching Gifts
    • Create Your Own Fundraiser
    • Ice Ball
    • Bowl for Kids
  • Shop

Big Brothers Big Sisters profiles

 Our 2023 Matches of the Year

Our 2023 Matches of the Year

January 27, 2023

The new year always brings a sense of excitement at Big Brothers Big Sisters as we celebrate the announcement of our Central Texas Matches of the Year. In conjunction with […]

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     Dr. Richard M. Rhodes: The Power of Mentoring

    Dr. Richard M. Rhodes: The Power of Mentoring

    January 13, 2023

    Dr. Richard M. Rhodes: The Power of Mentoring January is a time of new beginnings, new resolutions, and new goals. At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we use this time of […]

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       Welcoming our New Board Members

      Welcoming our New Board Members

      January 13, 2023

      Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas is pleased to welcome three newly elected members to BBBS’ Executive Board of Directors: Zachary Carroll, Brandon Christensen, and Karen Vilches. “BBBS [...]

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         More Than a Gift: The Power of Presence

        More Than a Gift: The Power of Presence

        December 13, 2022

        So far in 2022, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas has made more than 170 new matches and supported more than 758 Littles and their Bigs. Our Big Futures […]

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           Spotlight on Lisa Robertson

          Spotlight on Lisa Robertson

          November 4, 2022

          If you are familiar with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, you are familiar with the outstanding work of Lisa Robertson, who has been BBBS’ Senior Marketing Specialist since […]

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             Twice as Nice: Making a Difference Together

            Twice as Nice: Making a Difference Together

            October 10, 2022

            After seeing the important role one of their friends played in her Little’s life and development, husband and wife, Kent and Micki, felt inspired to become Bigs themselves. “Our friend […]

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               Spotlight on Hannah Evans

              Spotlight on Hannah Evans

              October 10, 2022

              In the 7+ years she has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, Hannah Evans has experienced a journey of personal and professional discovery. In this time, […]

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                 Our 2022 Ice VII Awardees – Laura and Kyndel Bennett

                Our 2022 Ice VII Awardees – Laura and Kyndel Bennett

                August 24, 2022

                  They’ve been Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors, leaders, and benefactors, as their life’s passion and legacy has been about giving back to the community. We are excited to announce […]

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                   Meet Our 2022 Ice Ball Chairs: Sarah & Albert Swantner

                  Meet Our 2022 Ice Ball Chairs: Sarah & Albert Swantner

                  June 2, 2022

                  Glamorous, stylish, exciting, with shimmering ice sculptures and gowns, attended by a host of Central Texas influencers, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Ice Ball Gala might seem like just another [...]

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                     Celebrating Major Employee Milestones

                    Celebrating Major Employee Milestones

                    May 20, 2022

                    Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas just celebrated 50 years as an agency. We have also recognized matches that have spanned decades, but in 2022 we are honoring another […]

                    Read More 0
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                      Categories

                      • Amplify Austin (2)
                      • Bennett-Rathgeber Mentoring Center (9)
                      • Big Brothers Big Sisters profiles (74)
                      • Big Couples (3)
                      • Big Futures (11)
                      • Big Impact Group (3)
                      • Big Stories (226)
                      • Bowl for Kids (14)
                      • Community partners (36)
                      • Corporate philanthropy (17)
                      • Education (25)
                      • Events (107)
                      • From our CEO (15)
                      • Fundraising (48)
                      • Game Changers (12)
                      • Holiday Party (6)
                      • Ice Ball (24)
                      • Little Stories (56)
                      • Matches of the Year (1)
                      • Mentoring matters (130)
                      • National Mentoring Month (11)
                      • News & Updates (201)
                      • Press Releases (1)
                      • Recruitment (3)
                      • SantaCon (4)
                      • Scholarship Program (9)
                      • Year End Giving (12)

                      Participants and Supporters

                      • “As a Big, I’m able to pay it forward by providing my Little with some of the opportunities that I’ve been lucky to have in my life – companionship, encouragement, confidence and trust. “

                        Jeremy, Big Brother

                      • “It’s a privilege to be able to help kids recognize the potential within themselves and illuminate the opportunities they have in their lives.”

                        Jeremy, Big Brother

                      • Sponsors

                      • “My son’s relationship with his Big Brother has had a big impact.”

                        Family

                      • “My Big Brother has helped me discover new things.”

                        Little Brother

                      • Sponsors

                      • “If it weren’t for her, I know that I would have ended up in an environment that I should not have been in.”

                        Little Sister

                      • “Thanks to my amazing Big Sister, I knew from early on how important my education would be.”

                        Little Sister

                      • “As a Big, I can commit to a consistent volunteer opportunity where I feel like I’m giving back to my community, and I’m rewarded with a meaningful relationship with an awesome Little who has so much to offer as well.”

                        John, Big Brother

                      • “I love reading with my Big Sister.”

                        Little Sister

                      • “Having a Big in our lives has helped my whole family.”

                        Natasha, Mom of a Little

                      • “I can tell my Big Sister anything and she listens without judging me.”

                        Little Sister

                      • “My Big Sister is always there for me when I need her.”

                        Little Sister

                      • “My son is consciously making the right choices now to set himself up for whatever he decides to do.”

                        Family

                      • “My relationship with my Big Brother is very important to me.”

                        Little Brother

                      • “My husband is gone a lot on military assignments, and I wanted our daughters to have another responsible adult in their lives that they could have fun with and talk to if they didn’t feel comfortable talking to me.”

                        Family

                      • “With my Big Sister’s help I am doing better in school.”

                        Little Sister

                      • “Now, oh my gosh, how my daughter has changed. She just has a better outlook on life.”

                        Family

                      • “Being a Big Brother has enriched my life.”

                        Ben, Big Brother

                      • “My son has a stronger focus on his future as a result of his match.”

                        Family

                      • “As a Big, I get to spend time with my Little doing things I loved doing as a kid – exploring, going out to eat, cooking, visiting book stores, and being there as another ear and voice as she tries to navigate her world.”

                        Audra, Big Sister

                      • “Whenever something is bothering me, I can talk with my Big about it.”

                        Little Sister

                      • “My Big makes me feel important.”

                        Little Brother

                      • Sponsors

                      • “My Big Brother appreciates me for who I am.”

                        Little Brother

                      • Sponsors

                      • Sponsors

                      • “My Big Brother has taken me to visit several colleges and I’m excited to start applying.”

                        Little Brother

                      • “Becoming a Big is by far one of the best decisions I’ve made. My Little is constantly surprising me with her eagerness to try new things. Having the opportunity to mentor and see her grow has been not only rewarding, but also lots of fun!”

                        Reyna, Big Sister

                      • “Children are our future. I like helping them realize their potential.”

                        Donor

                      Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas | 4800 Manor Rd, Bldg K, Austin, TX 78723 | Mail: PO Box 4555, Austin, TX 78757 | Phone: 512-472-5437
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                      • Careers
                      • Non-Discrimination Policy
                      • Financial Statements
                      • Privacy Policy
                      • Store Policies & Procedures
                      Big Impact Group

                      The Big Impact Group (B.I.G.) is a diverse collective of dedicated Bigs and community members who volunteer their time, talents, and energy to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas’ mission, further its programs, and establish themselves as future leaders for BBBS CTX and in our community. Together, members volunteer, fundraise, and participate in events that support BBBS CTX’s 700+ matches.

                      B.I.G. members enjoy many activities and benefits including:

                      • Networking at quarterly happy hours and events with Big Impact Group members
                      • Joining volunteer opportunities like the Ice Ball, Bowl for Kids, and Amplify Austin
                      • Serving on the Big Impact Group Leadership Team to help direct the BIG strategy
                      • Supporting efforts that raise awareness and recruit new Bigs, including volunteer info sessions
                      • Providing opportunities for Bigs to engage with each other and the agency to strengthen matches and build community among our network of volunteers
                      • Receiving exclusively priced tickets to BBBS CTX signature events

                      Learn more about the Big Impact Group here.

                      Learn More

                      Complete a Volunteer Interest Form and sign-up to attend an Online Volunteer Info Session.

                      Executive Board of Directors

                      The Executive Board is a group of community-focused leaders invested in improving the lives of Austin youth. Their main responsibilities involve raising funds to support our agency, reviewing and approving agency policies, and generating awareness of, and support for, BBBS.

                      Lara Burns Boyda
                      Urbanspace
                      Chief Operating Officer

                      David Cardona
                      Strangeworks, Inc.
                      COO and General Counsel

                      Zachary A. Carroll, Secretary/Treasurer 
                      RSM US LLP
                      Austin Audit Leader, Partner

                      Brandon Christensen
                      SHI International Corp
                      Enterprise Sales Account Manager

                      Jayna Duke
                      O’Connell Robertson
                      Principal: Interior Design Practice Leader

                      Denver Dunlap
                      Denver Dunlap Real Estate
                      Owner/Broker

                      Art Guerra
                      Guerra Underground
                      Owner

                      Shellie Hayes-McMahon, Chair Elect
                      Planned Parenthood Texas Votes
                      Deputy Exec. Director of Operations & Development

                      Pamela Hurley
                      Philanthropist

                      Nicholas Johnson, PhD
                      McKinley Technologies
                      Founder & Principal

                      Lonnie Limon
                      Dieste, Inc.
                      Managing Director

                      Albert Swantner, Chair
                      Betterleave
                      VP of Engineering

                      Karen Vilches
                      Kojo
                      Executive Assistant

                      Jason Vitanza
                      Shadow IT Services
                      Chief Technology Officer

                      Match Development & Support

                      We will be there to provide ongoing support for your match!

                      Meet Your Little

                      We’ll set up a Match Introduction meeting to get your match started!

                      Advisory Council

                      Composed of high-visibility individuals and organizations, the Advisory Council provides BBBS with a lasting influence and cross-community reach. Convening at least twice per year, the group provides input on strategic issues as needed, influences others to support our mission and contribute resources, and recruits new members for our Executive Board.

                      Blake Absher
                      Broadway Bank
                      Executive Vice President – Austin Market President

                      Darrell Bazzell
                      The University of Texas at Austin
                      Senior Vice President and CFO

                      Kyndel Bennett
                      Cayetano Development, LLC
                      Chief Executive Officer

                      Ben Bufkin
                      Endeavor Real Estate Group
                      Principal

                      Clayton Christopher
                      Entrepreneur

                      Hector De Leon
                      De Leon Washburn & Ward, P.C.
                      Founder

                      Rachel Deaton
                      Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
                      Financial Advisor

                      Greg Dettman
                      Southwest Courts & Floors Inc. – Sport Court Southwest
                      Owner

                      Chris Ellis
                      Endeavor Real Estate Group, Ltd.
                      Managing Principal

                      Gary Farmer
                      Heritage Title Company of Austin, Inc.
                      President

                      Elizabeth T. Gershoff, PhD
                      The University of Texas at Austin
                      Amy Johnson McLaughlin Centennial Professor

                      Kristie Gonzales
                      KVUE
                      President & General Manager

                      Kerry Hall
                      Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce
                      Advisory Board Member

                      Amy Jones
                      O’Connell Robertson
                      President

                      Nyle Maxwell
                      The Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships
                      Dealer Principal

                      Dick Rathgeber
                      Rathgeber Investments
                      President

                      Dr. Richard Rhodes
                      Austin Community College District
                      Chancellor

                      Lawrence Speck
                      Page Southerland Page, Inc.
                      Senior Principal

                      Carl Stuart
                      Registered Investment Advisor

                      Tom Taylor
                      Taylor Investments
                      Principal

                      Interview

                      We’ll set up a time to get to know you so we can find the best match for you!

                      Training

                      Join other prospective mentors to learn the essentials for being a great volunteer Big.

                      Wait/Get Ready for a Match

                      We’ll search carefully for a Big for your child. Try to be patient. It takes time to find a great match. Once a potential Big is found, you’ll learn about them and move forward if you approve the match.

                      Apply

                      Complete the online enrollment application.

                      Preparing Parents

                      Our top priority is the safety and well-being of your child. During our parent training, we will teach you how to keep your child safe within or outside of our program.

                      Foundation Board

                      The Foundation Board’s purpose is to oversee all aspects of BBBS’s Scholarship Program, including managing the endowment and distributing scholarship funds to institutions.

                      Carlos Barbosa
                      Wells Fargo
                      SVP/Loan Supervisor-Middle Market Commercial Banking

                      Loraine Brown, Foundation Board Chair
                      Vino Veritas Ventures
                      Founder & Owner

                      Kori Hattemer
                      Foundation Communities
                      Director of Prosper Programs

                      Shellie Hayes-McMahon
                      Planned Parenthood Texas Votes
                      Deputy Exec. Director of Operations & Development

                      Brandon Jones, PhD
                      The University of Texas at Austin
                      Director for Student Learning & Development

                      Pamela Hurley
                      Philanthropist

                      Guillermo Martinez III, PhD
                      Austin Community College
                      Interim Vice President, Student Affairs

                      Apply

                      Complete the Volunteer Application (following Step 1), which includes references and a thorough background check.

                      Talk With Us

                      Learn more about the commitment and if it’s right for your child. You can reach us at 512-442-4646 or via email: info@bigmentoring.org.

                      Meet With Us

                      We will visit with you in your home or in our office. Help us get to know your child so we can find the best match for him or her.

                      Meet Your Child's Big

                      We will introduce you and your child to your new Big. They will start spending time together and getting to know each other.