PROGRAMS
SITE-BASED MENTORING
Penn Bigs
WHAT ARE COLLEGE BIGS?
College Bigs are available to students at the University of Pennsylvania who wish to act as mentors for children in local schools that partner with the program.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Volunteers from a local university are partneredwith a nearby school and college volunteers meetwith their Littles at school during their lunchtimeor afterschool in one-to-one mentoringrelationships.
HOW IT WORKS
College volunteers meet with their mentees weeklyduring the Little’s lunch period or after-school,depending on the school. Matches have lunchtogether, talk, or play during their Little’s recesstime.
VOLUNTEER TIME COMMITMENT
Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence (BBSSI) asksvolunteers to commit at least one year, but are alsoencouraged to maintain their relationship withtheir Little during their time in college.
BBBSI SUPPORT
BBBSI staff conduct regular and ongoing contact witheach match privately one-to-one through matchsupport contacts. The purpose of match support is tomonitor, coach, and guide the match in order topromote the development of the match relationship,match longevity, child safety/youth protection, andpositive youth development.
THE NEED
Volunteers that are able to commit one-hour a week during the school year on-site to spend time, bea friend, or be a “guide on the side” for local youth.Looking for committed and consistent volunteers tohelp all youth achieve their full potential.
NEXT STEPS TO BECOME A BIG
- CLICK HERE to complete the enrollment form (the form alone does not make you a big).
- A representative from BBBSI
will reach out via email or text
and ask you to complete a full
application*.*Please note: you will be asked to provide your SSN for background checking purposes. - Attend a virtual information session
- Complete your virtual interview
- BBBSI staff conducts background checks and contacts your references
- Get matched to a Little!
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about the program, reach out to our team:
VOLUNTEER:
[email protected]
TO DONATE:
[email protected]
OUR IMPACT
College Mentoring supports youth to have a more positive school engagement, which student performance are key indicators of future success. Through consistent encouragement and support mentoring can help keep youth on the path to achievement.
IMPACT ON LITTLES
91%
Improved or maintained feelings
of social acceptance
94%
Maintained educational expectations
91%
Maintained or improved grades
97%
Their relationship with their Mentor is important to them
95%
of Littles agree that when something is bothering them their College Big listens while they talk about it
IMPACT ON BIGS
99%
Believed supporting BBBSI is
a positive investment in the community
95%
Felt BBBSI made them more connected to the community