Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona

Changing perspectives. Changing lives.

<img src="http://www.bbbsaz.org/atf/cf/%7B8778D05C-7CCB-4DEE-9D6E-70F27C016CC9%7D/About_Us.png">

For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation's largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers ("Bigs") and children ("Littles"), ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.

Our Vision is for all children achieve success in life.

Our Mission is to provide Arizona youth facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better.

Accountability - By partnering with parents/guardians, volunteers, and others in the community, we are accountable for each child in our program achieving:

• Higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships

• Avoidance of risky behaviors

• Educational success

Guiding Principles

We value all children and the volunteers who help them succeed in life by sharing their lives with them.

We value teamwork and collaboration. We work with our volunteers, contributors, partners, and other non-profit organizations to help ensure the children who turn to us have opportunities for success.

We operate as efficiently and effectively as possible, with a focus upon ethical decision making and leadership practices.

We seek diversity and inclusiveness in everything we do, so our efforts reflect the community we serve and the children who depend upon us.

We value a culture of continuous improvement, development, and excellence.

Connect NOW for a BIG Impact.

National research has shown that positive relationships between Littles and their Bigs have a direct and measurable impact on children's lives. By participating in our programs, Little Brothers and Sisters are:

• more confident in their schoolwork performance
• able to get along better with their families
• 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
• 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
• 52% less likely to skip school.

---

We currently have over 300 children on a wait list, who want a mentor and are waiting upwards of two years to be matched with a Big. You can help change that by getting involved and positively impacting a kid's life in your own local community, as Big Brothers and Big Sisters are needed across the Valley!

We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available, which are listed below:

Community-Based Mentoring Program: Volunteers meet with their Little Brother or Little Sister 2-4 times per month for a period of at least one year. You can get together to play games, create arts and crafts, play sports, ride bikes, or just hang out and talk -- whatever is fun to you! You choose the activities, as well as the days and times that you get together.

Site-Based Mentoring Program: Volunteers meet with a child at one of our partner schools for about one hour per week (or at least twice a month) over the kid's lunchtime. (We have partner sites across the Valley, and it is a super convenient way to volunteer during your lunch break from work!)

Family/Couple Match Program: These options allow families with their own children and couples to include a Little Brother or Little Sister on their normal outings and activities, at least twice a month. It is really fun and makes a huge impact!

STARS Program: Volunteers are matched to a child who has one or both parents in prison, in order to show that there are other paths in life. Additional training is provided for this program.

---

If you would like more information regarding volunteering with BBBSAZ, please contact Andrea Sanchez, Community Relations Specialist, at asanchez@bbbsaz.org or visit www.BBBSAZ.org/volunteer.