BE A BIG
Interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister? It's truly a fun, life-changing experience that gives the invaluable gift of your friendship. We believe that all children should have the opportunity to succeed in life and live up to their full potential. Some kids simply need someone to ignite the potential that lives inside. That's where you come in!
We’re always looking for people eager to positively impact a child and improve their community at the same time. For a few hours a month, you can give a Little the invaluable gift of your friendship. By simply changing their perspective of what the world can offer, you can literally start changing their life. Play a game. Enjoy a Jacksonville Jaguars' game. Help with homework. Just as your options are unlimited, so is your Little’s potential. To see the big impact we made last year, check out our 2022-23 impact report here.
OUR PROGRAMS
BIGS IN BADGES
Being a Big Brother or Big Sister in Badges is one of the most enjoyable things you’ll ever do, not to mention, one of the most fulfilling. Bigs in Badges connects children with service men and women, building strong, trusting, and lasting relationships. This initiative helps create positive associations, builds stronger bonds, and increases trust within the community.
ELIGIBILITY
- Service men and/or women (i.e Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, Military)
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Complete an in-person interview and background check
EXPECTATIONS
- Minimum of a one (1) year commitment
- Attend Virtual/In-person mentor training session
- Meet one (1) hour, on duty, per work week during your shift at respective school
- Programs are supervised by Big Brothers Big Sisters staff or school/agency contact
BIG PRIDE
The Big Pride program addresses specific needs and vulnerabilities of LGBTQ+ youth. Big Pride provides a trusting, confidential, one-to-one friendship between LGBTQ+ mentees and mentors. While we have always served and had an open door for LGBTQ+ youth, Big Pride allows us to be more intentional in helping these youth who often face a unique set of challenges - especially related to gender identity and parental/peer acceptance.
ELIGIBILITY
- Identify as LGBTQ+
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Complete an in-person interview and background check
EXPECTATIONS
- Minimum of a one (1) year commitment
- Attend virtual/in-person mentor training session
- Programs are supervised by Big Brothers Big Sisters staff or school/agency contact
COMMUNITY-BASED
Community-Based allows Bigs and Littles to spend time in the community doing fun and interactive activities, working toward personal achievement and positive character development. Are you ready to empower a youth to reach their full potential?
ELIGIBILITY
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Have a car, valid driver’s license & proof of current automobile insurance
- Complete an in-person interview and background check
EXPECTATIONS
- Make a one year minimum commitment to your Little
- Attend Virtual/In-person mentor training session
- Make face-to-face contact with your Little between 4-7 hours per month
- Participate in ongoing phone contact with Big Brothers Big Sisters staff throughout the duration of your match
SCHOOL-BASED
Sometimes the best place to help a child realize their potential is at their school. Whether mentoring occurs in the classroom, gym, or conference room, it’s all about developing a friendship, providing guidance and inspiring children to reach their potential. Bigs can enjoy activities such as helping Littles with homework, sharing conversation, setting goals, and/or bonding over lunch.
ELIGIBILITY
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Complete an in-person interview and background check
EXPECTATIONS
- Minimum of a one (1) year commitment
- Attend Virtual/In-person mentor training session
- Meet throughout school year at respective school
- Meet one (1) hour per work week
- Programs are supervised by Big Brothers Big Sisters staff or school/agency contact
BEYOND SCHOOL WALLS
Beyond School Walls (BSW) connects mentors from a local business with Duval County Public Schools career academy students focused on the same targeted industry. Partnerships like these enrich the education and preparation of the career academy students by providing meaningful and relevant workplace experiences. Interested in participating in workplace mentoring?
ELIGIBILITY
- Employee of a participating Beyond School Walls partner
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Complete an in-person interview and background check
EXPECTATIONS
- Minimum of a one (1) year commitment
- Attend Virtual/In-person mentor training session
- Students are transported to business sites to meet with their mentor
- Programs are supervised by Big Brothers Big Sisters staff or school/agency contact
SIGN UP FOR A
LUNCH & LEARN!
A Lunch & Learn is a FREE opportunity for you and your coworkers to enjoy a casual lunch at your office while learning about Big Brothers Big Sisters and the many different ways you can get involved! Volunteer opportunities, like the ones offered by BBBS, allow employees to work together to build camaraderie, foster relationships and feel good about giving back to their community. Bonus: This opportunity doesn’t have to take place over the lunch hour! You can schedule a breakfast, snack break, or during an already scheduled meeting for us to come speak to your company. Meeting times can be adjusted but normally last anywhere from 30-60 minutes.
IN 2022-23, WE MADE A BIG IMPACT
youth were served in
Northeast Florida
were promoted on time
to the next grade
children maintained
or improved attendance
youth had no behavioral
referrals or suspensions
*Statistics based on metrics obtained for 508 of 573 matches served
SEE OUR IMPACT
MEET WENDY & TA'NAE
Wendy and Ta’Nae have been matched almost eight years! They are a joyful match and always seem to have a good time with one another, looking for teachable moments along the way. They enjoy grabbing breakfast together as well as attending many of the BBBS activities such as the recent Big Little Run and the End of the Year Picnic at JU (pictured). Wendy has been helping Ta’Nae get ready for her upcoming decisions relating to graduation and college! Wendy has a hard-working, giving, and kind personality and it rubs off on Ta’Nae. Though this will be their final year in BBBS, they have most definitely established a life-long friendship!
MEET JEFF & MATTHEW
Matthew and Jeff have been matched for over 2.5 years & have spent the past couple of years doing all kinds of new and fun activities together! Matthew and Jeff enjoy attending sporting events and BBBS activities together and have done everything from the BBBS educational boat ride, to checking out the animals at the White Harvest Farms Event! Matthew is an avid soccer player and Jeff enjoys supporting Matthew in this by attending some of his soccer games. Congratulations Matthew and Jeff on a wonderful friendship!
MEET ASHLEY & AMAYA
Amaya & Ashley have become fast friends over the past 6 months and enjoy trying new things together! Ashley loves attending Amaya’s violin concerts and they have already gone to the Seawalk music festival, the movies, several BBBS community activities and the BBBS Little BIG Run 5k. Amaya and Ashley both share a love for art and hope to attend art festivals, symphonies and different museums in the future. They are sure to have numerous fun activities in the future and we can’t wait to hear about them! Congratulations to Ashley and Amaya on a great friendship!
TOGETHER, WE ARE
Defenders of Potential
GIVE TODAY
Your financial support helps us provide programs to children in our local community who need it the most! Your donation helps us develop more college grads, community leaders, and entrepreneurs.
BE A BIG
Interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister? It's a life-changing experience that gives the gift of friendship that will last a lifetime. Through one-to-one mentoring, lives are changing everyday.
BECOME A PARTNER
Our work wouldn’t be possible without the support of our generous partners. By committing to a partnership, your contributions foster long-term mentoring relationships and academic support for at-risk children.
Contact Us
Feel free to give us a call during office hours, or send us a message using our contact form. We aim to respond to all queries from our site within 24 hours.
ADDRESS
40 East Adams Street,
Suite 220
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
PHONE
P: 904.727.9797
F: 904.727.9994
HOURS
Monday - Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
NEWSLETTER
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