Mentoring is a purposeful, effective and rewarding way to have a direct and lasting impact on a child’s life. Youth referred to Y mentoring programs have been identified by parents/guardians, school counselors and other adults as needing the steady, predictable presence of a caring responsible adult in their lives. There are many ways to participate as a volunteer mentor at the Y.


Make a Difference with Virtual Mentoring

We have transformed our programs to meet the needs of our community during the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic has changed the way we interact but not stopped our critical work. With more than 800 youth on our waiting list, our need for mentors, especially men, is great. 

Join Mentoring at the Y as we partner with youth, volunteers, families and the community to be there for each other to get through this crisis together.


Ongoing Support through Every Step

Volunteers undergo an extensive screening process to help create safe, meaningful, and lasting relationships. Acceptance and enrollment time varies in length based on your matchability and the outcome of your screening. The screening process includes: 

  • Completing an online inquiry and application
  • Completing a virtual interview
  • Clearing a national background check

If accepted to be matched, trained associates provide you with ongoing support for the duration of your mentoring relationship.


Virtual Matching

While working remotely to observe safe social distance, our team continues to provide the support and resources necessary to keep our youth connected during these difficult times. Zoom, GoogleMeets, and Teams are just some of the tools we use to conduct virtual interviews, so we can match youth with mentors.


Virtual Mentoring

Within every child lies the potential for greatness. We know how important it is to keep our youth connected to both school and social support activities while home. Virtual mentoring is safe and monitored for mentors and mentees to continue their relationships while they may be separated during this time.


Mentoring Programs

Our mentoring programs include one-to-one mentoring in the community, one-to-one therapeutic mentoring, college/career readiness mentoring, and workplace mentorship through your employer.

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters at the Y: One-to-one supportive mentoring in the community.

    A one-to-one, professionally supported mentoring program for youth ages 7-17 designed to provide consistent, caring positive role modeling and supportive guidance. Mentoring takes place based on the individual mentor/mentee desired schedule in a Y or around the community. Mentor/mentee matches meet regularly to engage in healthy positive activities (such as sports, board games, arts & crafts) which lead to trusting, long term relationships which help build confidence and self-esteem.

    Time Commitment: Engagement 2-3 times per month for at least one year.
     
  • Reach & Rise: One-to-one therapeutic/prescriptive mentoring (virtual).

    A professionally supported mentoring program for youth ages 8-17. Mentors work closely with a case worker to assist with addressing clearly identified needs and objectives. Matches meet two hours a week at a Y Center to participate in Y activities like open swim, rock wall and open gym, sit and talk, help with homework, and more.

    Time Commitment: Weekly engagement for one year.
     

GET STARTED AS A MENTEE (child)   |   GET STARTED AS A MENTOR

 

Employee-Sponsored Virtual Mentoring

In the current state of the world, we all need to continue to stay connected and mentoring allows employees to reinforce their values by helping youth. Meaningful volunteer experiences engage employees to feel rewarded, proud, and positive. Big Brothers Big Sisters at the Y (BBBSY) offers rewarding opportunities for employees to volunteer as mentors. All activities are supported by a BBBSY Site Specialist and can be customized. Currently, all employee-sponsored mentoring opportunities are virtual.

  • Beyond School Walls: Corporate partners host elementary or middle school students twice a month at their place of work, for 90 minutes each visit. Students gain a mentor and an early introduction into the workplace environment. A BBBSY Site Specialist is present.
     
  • Bigs in School: Mentors from corporate partners travel to a nearby elementary/middle school or community center to spend an hour every other week with their mentee, participating in interactive and enriching activities over lunch.
     
  • Mentor U: Mentor U blends online and in-person mentoring to provide evidence-based high school mentoring focused on college and career readiness. The program matches mentors from corporate partners with high school students and is intended to keep students on track for graduation and success. Mentees engage weekly with mentors through an online portal, on a schedule set by the mentee’s school. The online relationship is supplemented by a monthly in-person two-hour event at the high school.

For more information on how your company can participate in employee-sponsored mentoring, please complete this Work Sponsored Mentoring Inquiry form.