Programs

A mentor acts as a positive role model, providing guidance to a person in need. He or she helps someone set and reach goals, identify and pursue opportunities, develop new skills, and improve self-esteem. Big Brothers and Big Sisters volunteer as mentors to children, offering support and stability and helping them build a strong foundation for the future.

No—there is no cost for a young person to be part of our program. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas is about building positive, consistent mentoring relationships, not financial commitments.

We encourage Bigs and Littles to spend time together through free or low-cost activities—things like going to the park, visiting a library, attending community events, or simply hanging out and talking. We also share a calendar of fun, no-cost opportunities to help matches stay connected and engaged.

If a match occasionally chooses an activity that has a cost, we ask the Big to cover it whenever possible. Families are welcome to contribute to their young person’s portion when they are able, but it is never required to participate.

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, we believe every young person has incredible potential—and with the right support, they can thrive. One-to-one mentoring helps youth build the confidence, skills, and relationships they need to succeed in school, work, and life.

Independent research shows that youth matched with a Big experience remarkable growth. According to a national impact study:

• 85% of Littles report increased confidence in themselves

• 84% say their Big has helped them make better choices

• 74% improve or maintain their academic performance

• 94% feel their Big makes them feel better about themselves

• 83% of Littles say their Big has positively influenced their goals for the future

For parents and caregivers, it means your young person has a consistent, caring adult in their corner. For school counselors, it’s a valuable layer of social-emotional support. For young people—including those in our Big Futures program for ages 18–25—it’s a trusted relationship that helps you navigate life’s transitions and stay focused on what matters most.

Mentoring relationships don’t just change individual lives—they strengthen families, schools, and communities. When a mentor shows up consistently, listens without judgment, and helps a young person see their own potential, it sparks growth that lasts a lifetime.

This is how we build brighter futures—one match at a time.

Young people in our program come from a wide range of home environments, family structures, cultural backgrounds, and communities. Each youth brings their own strengths, interests, and personality—but what they all share is a desire for connection with a caring adult who shows up, listens, and believes in them.

Families learn about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas in many ways—through school counselors and teachers, friends, community organizations, places of worship, and local outreach. Participation is always voluntary. Every young person and their parent or guardian chooses to be part of our program because they believe in the power of mentorship to support growth, confidence, and long-term success.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas serves children in Travis, Williamson and Hays counties.

The enrollment and interview process is our opportunity to get to know your young person and your family. It helps us understand their interests, personality, strengths, and needs so we can make the best possible match. We consider a variety of factors—such as background, communication style, preferences, and location—to find a mentor who’s a strong fit.

Throughout the process, your voice matters. As a parent or guardian, you have the final say in whether a proposed match is right for your young person. We’re here to support you every step of the way and to ensure that any match we make feels safe, respectful, and aligned with your goals.

The time it takes to match a young person with a mentor can vary based on several factors, including where they live, their interests, and the availability of volunteers in their area. For example, youth in central Austin may be matched more quickly than those in areas with fewer enrolled Bigs. In some cases, boys may experience a longer wait due to a lower number of male-identifying volunteers.

We also work intentionally to match bilingual youth with mentors who can support their language needs and cultural identity. Our priority is to make thoughtful, lasting matches that reflect the strengths, preferences, and goals of each young person we serve.

While some matches come together quickly and others take more time, we’re committed to finding the right mentor—not just the first available one.

To build a strong, trusting relationship, consistency matters. We encourage Bigs and Littles to keep a regular schedule and connect often. All match participants—youth, parents or guardians, and mentors—are asked to commit to a minimum of one year of active participation, with Bigs and Littles meeting 3 to 4 times per month, primarily in person.

To support a safe, meaningful, and lasting mentoring experience, matches are expected to:

• Maintain consistent, open communication to support safety and healthy relationship development

• Connect 3 to 4 times each month, with most outings taking place in person (virtual connections like video calls can supplement when needed)

• Engage for a minimum of 4 total hours per month, which may include all forms of connection—whether that’s shared outings, phone calls, video chats, or texts

This level of engagement helps mentoring relationships grow and gives young people the steady support they need to build confidence, set goals, and thrive.

We encourage Bigs and Littles to spend time doing things that spark conversation, build trust, and create shared experiences. That might mean playing a board game, exploring a local trail, trying a new hobby, visiting a museum, or just listening to music and talking.

The goal is for your young person to feel seen, supported, and connected—while also having fun. These moments of play and discovery help strengthen the mentoring relationship and support social, emotional, and developmental growth. Because when a young person feels safe to be themselves, learning and growth happen naturally.

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, we believe mentoring works best when families are actively involved. We view you as a key partner in helping your young person build a strong, positive relationship with their Big—starting with the initial match and continuing throughout the journey.

Your insight helps us understand your youth’s strengths, interests, and goals. You also have the final say in approving your young person’s Big once a potential match is identified.

After the match is made, your continued involvement is essential. As a parent or guardian, you’ll:

• Approve activities and outings between your youth and their Big

• Check in with your youth about how their match is going and share feedback with our staff

• Participate in regular check-ins with our team to help us track progress and celebrate milestones

• Take part in BBBS’s child safety training and talk with your youth about what you’ve learned

This is a team effort—and your voice matters. Together, we can help your young person grow with the support, confidence, and connection they need to thrive.

Before a match is ever made, every potential Big goes through a thorough screening process guided by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s National Standards of Excellence. Safety is our top priority, and we take every step to ensure each volunteer is ready to build a strong, positive, and supportive relationship with a young person.

Our screening process includes:

• A formal written application

• Comprehensive background and reference checks

• An in-person interview with BBBS staff

• Orientation and training focused on youth development, match expectations, and individualized support strategies

• Child safety information provided to you, your youth, and your family

Safety is a shared responsibility. That’s why we emphasize regular, open communication between our professional staff, mentors, youth, and parents or guardians. Ongoing dialogue helps us support your youth, respond to questions, and ensure every match relationship stays strong, safe, and successful.

Throughout the mentoring relationship, a dedicated Match Support Specialist from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas will stay in regular contact with you. Their role is to ensure the match is safe, successful, and supportive for everyone involved.

Your Match Support Specialist is here to:

• Answer questions and offer guidance

• Share ideas for fun, age-appropriate activities

• Help navigate challenges or concerns

• Celebrate progress and milestones

• Provide ongoing encouragement and resources tailored to your youth’s needs

You’re never alone in this process. We’re here to partner with you and support your young person’s growth every step of the way.

Our goal is always to create strong, lasting mentoring relationships. However, we recognize that circumstances can change, and not every match will continue long-term. If challenges arise, your Match Support Specialist will work with everyone involved to address concerns and explore possible solutions.

When a match isn’t the right fit, we prioritize open communication and thoughtful decision-making. If resolution isn’t possible, the match may come to a close—but we handle this process with care and respect. Your Match Support Specialist will guide you and your youth through each step, ensuring that the transition is handled in a way that honors the relationship and supports your young person’s well-being.

While we ask for an initial commitment of one year, many matches continue well beyond that. In fact, mentoring relationships can remain active through age 18 and/or high school graduation.

As your young person approaches adulthood, they may have the opportunity to transition into our Big Futures program. Big Futures extends the mentoring relationship through critical life transitions—whether that’s pursuing college, preparing for a career, or enlisting in military service. The focus is on continued guidance, connection, and goal-setting during this pivotal stage of life.

And even Big Futures doesn’t have to be the end. Many matches go on to become lifelong friendships—because when a Big and a Little build a meaningful bond, it often lasts far beyond the program.