About Big Brothers Big Sisters

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. Professionally trained Big Brothers Big Sisters staff members work with our partners in the education and juvenile justice communities to find children facing adversity and assess how our programs can have the greatest impact. Big Brothers Big Sisters targets the children who need us most, including those living in single parent homes, growing up in poverty and coping with parental incarceration.

Established in 1965, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh is the region’s premier evidenced-based youth mentoring agency—earning national recognition for program quality and organizational excellence.

At BBBSPGH, we make meaningful, life changing friendships in Allegheny, Greene, and Washington counties. There are three program options available that are designed to help develop strong one-to-one relationships, and make a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young children—Community-Based, Site-Based, and mentor2.0.

For information about our programs, click here.

How does bowling help Big Brothers Big Sisters?

When you participate in Bowl for Kids' Sake, you have the power to ignite the potential of the children in our community. We depend on the funds raised from Bowl for Kids' Sake to carry out the work of carefully matching children with caring adult mentors and providing ongoing support to the child, volunteer mentor and child's family. Today you can Register or Donate to our efforts to change the life of a child forever!

How to become a Big(mentor) or Little(mentee) in our programs

Before we make a match, we do our homework. After someone expresses an interest in becoming a Big, they go through a background check and careful interview process. Then we match Bigs and Littles based on location, personalities and preferences. And we provide full support from the start, so matches can grow into lasting, impactful friendships. The entire matching process is made possible through donations—we can't do what we do best without your support!

What do Big and Little matches do together?

Each match is unique. Getting together doesn't require a special occasion or expensive activity—just a few hours every month doing things the Little and Big already enjoy. For example: Playing catch, reading books, going to a museum, and providing advice and inspiration. Some Bigs meet their Littles on the weekends. Others get together with their Littles in the evenings. Each match develops a schedule that works for them. Sometimes the best place for enjoying activities together is at the child's school. And, the best part is, it can be a great learning experience, in or out of the classroom. Find out about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister here.