Our Programs
Get involved with mentoring
In Community-Based Mentoring, volunteers provide our “Littles,” individualized time and attention on a regular basis, at least twice a month for 2-3 hours. During unstructured weekly or bi-weekly outings, filled with conversations and shared activities, they develop a relationship that helps youth manage the everyday challenges that are part of “growing up.”
Youth in our programs are more likely to have higher aspirations, greater confidence, build better relationships, and avoid risky behaviors
The “Big/Little” Relationship: The agency monitors the “Big/Little” relationship on a regular basis and offers continual support for the match.
The Children
- Reside in Westmoreland and Fayette Counties
- Are 6 to 14 years of age
- Are primarily from single parent homes and/or facing adversity in their lives
The Volunteers
- Are from all different walks of life
- Are 18 years of age and older
- Are committed to working with a child for at least one year.
- Provide friendship, guidance, and a positive role model to the child
- Complete agency screenings, references, and background checks
- Maintain regular contact with Big Brothers Big Sisters’ staf
Volunteers serve as Big Brothers/Big Sisters for local elementary students.
The volunteer meets one-on-one with the same student weekly or bi-weekly during the school year to work together on improving academics, relationships, social skills, and life skills.
The goal of the programs is to allow for the elementary students to experience a positive mentorship and ultimately improve grades and reduce their tardiness and absenteeism rates.
Read to Succeed: Read to Succeed is an initiative within our Lunch Buddy program geared towards helping struggling youth improve their reading skills. Volunteers (Bigs) meet weekly with a youth (Littles) for 30 minutes to listen to them read and provide intervention tactics. This simple act helps them to improve their reading skills and get them back on track. For every book a Little reads with their Big, they receive a free reward book.
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Greensburg Salem
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Latrobe
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Laurel Highlands
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Albert Gallatin
- Norwin
The “Big/Little” Relationship
The agency monitors the “Big/Little” relationship on a regular basis and offers continual support for the match.
The Children
- Are recommended by school staff based on criteria such as the child not working to his/her potential, exhibiting poor relationships with peers, and exhibiting low self-esteem.
- Are screened by Big Brothers Big Sisters’ staff for participation.
The Volunteers
- Are able to commit to meeting with a child once a week (or bi-weekly) during the school year for at least one calendar year.
- Provide friendship, guidance, and a positive role model to the children.
- Complete agency screenings, references, and background checks.
- Maintain regular contact with Big Brothers Big Sisters’ staff.
- BIGFutures is designed to assist Littles in making educational, career, and life decisions, up until the age of 24.
- Our goal is to provide Bigs and Littles with life-guiding resources that are important to becoming successful after high school.
- This program will help youth earn a livable wage and lead a fulfilling, happy life!
- To enroll into BigFutures, you must already be match in BBBSLR’s system.
- Financial Literacy
- College 101
- Workshops
- Resume writing
- FAFSA Completion
- Incentives for Seniors
- Job Shadowing
- Interviewing
- Career Readiness
- Independent Life Skills
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Health and Wellness