Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Mid-Florida was established in 1977 and has served thousands of children within the Mid-Florida area. Our coverage includes Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Gilchrist, Levy, and Marion County.
BBBS of Mid-Florida is part of the largest network of volunteer mentors of youth which relies on funding to carefully match volunteers with children and provide ongoing support to maintain long-term one-to-one mentoring friendships.
Its foundational belief is that every child has the inborn ability to succeed and thrive. By cultivating one-to-one mentoring relationships, BBBS increases the odds of a child academically achieving, avoiding drugs & alcohol and strengthening their family.
Most children served by BBBS are in low-income households with a single parent or have an incarcerated parent. Meaningful relationships, ongoing evaluation and professional support provided by BBBS is proven to positively impact youth and the community.
Studies show that adults mentored as children through BBBS are more likely to earn a four-year college degree, take part in strong personal relationships and give back to their community.
Big Brothers Big Sisters needs YOU
Big Brothers Big Sisters receives 75% of our funding from private donations. Support from individuals like you is vital to provide mentors for children in our community.
And we know they need them. It isn’t easy being a kid these days. In these complex and confusing times, children need a caring adult to be a mentor and a friend — someone they can talk to, have fun with, and learn from.
Research shows that our mentoring works
Kids with a Big Brother or Big Sister show real differences in their personal and academic lives. They are:
- More confident in their schoolwork performance
- Able to get along better with their families
- 52% less likely to skip school.
Your donation will be used to:
- Help recruit new Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers
- Cover the costs of background checks and insurance, while ensuring trained professionals match children to caring and responsible Bigs
- Offer one-on-one, ongoing supervision and support for every match
- Provide cultural and social activities to enrich the opportunities for children
Your donation goes to your community
When you make a gift to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida, you directly support children in your community.
No matter how much you give, your contribution will improve the lives of young people in your community. Your donation will help them meet the challenges of growing up into happy, confident young adults.