Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Kentucky

Volunteers (Bigs) and youth (Littles) are from all walks of life and are as diverse as all of America. What Littles have in common is their desire to have caring adults in their lives. What Bigs have in common is a willingness to share knowledge, skills and experiences with a young person.

National research reveals that youth who are matched with a volunteer are more likely to show positive behaviors in school and at home. Our matches are effective because professional staff ensure that the relationships are safe and rewarding for everyone involved.

Start Something Now…

Community Based

The Big provides friendship, guidance and support for the Little through activities that help to build self-esteem, improve school grades, and increase positive relationships. The two of you can attend a ball game, have lunch in the park, go to the library, or spend the time talking.

School Based

A volunteer is matched with a young person in a local school. Once a week they meet on school property. They can eat lunch together, review academic assignments, play board games, or sit and talk.

Start Something Now…For a Lifetime…

Our children need you. Please consider becoming a volunteer by contacting any one of our Case Managers.

What does it take to be a big?

Any volunteer who can commit to spending four hours per month with a child can be a Big. Professionally trained staff screen all applications thoroughly before matching the applicant with waiting children, and consistent agency support is given to the volunteer, child and parent/guardian. Being a Big means listening to and learning from your Little and most of all, it means just being there.

Do Bigs really make a difference?

YES! Statistics show that children who are mentored are: 46% less likely to start using drugs, 27% less likely to start drinking, 52% less likely to skip school, 33% less likely to hit someone and generally more trusting of their parents or guardian.

Why volunteer?

Kids today are faced with a variety of problems that can sometimes seem never-ending or too hard to deal with, but fortunately there is help! A Big Brother or Sister can act as a mentor and a role model which can offer hope to a child who needs them. A Big can show a child that, no matter how difficult things get, there is a caring adult friend there for them - someone who will listen withour criticizing, who will give them advice when asked, encourage them when needed, and will help to put things into perspective. Ultimately, the guidance of a Big Brother or Big Sister can help a child grow into a confident and caring adult. Volunteering is not only a rewarding experience for the children who are served, but it can be very rewarding for the adult as well.

What are the benefits?

A child's self-esteem increases when an adult friend genuinely cares. His or her future is broadened by a role model who can be a guide to life's opportunities and around life's obstacles. For our children, the obstacles are very real. Imagine how it would feel knowing that someone is in your corner. It can make all the difference in the world — to a child.

How does it help?

BBBS matches children with positive adult volunteers. The volunteers and the children come from all walks of life and from all types of commuities...Prospective volunteers are carefully evaluated by agency staff... Each match is based on the needs of the child and the interests of both the child and volunteer. Once a match is made you can begin to have fun with your "Litttle" buy sharing everyday experiences with them — taking "Little Moments to Create Big Magic" in a child's life. Professional caseworkers are available to provide advice, provide support to help the match grow and answer any questions you have.

Start Something - Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Kentucky FOR THE FIRST TIME in its more than 100-year history, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is actively seeking donations, through a nationwide campaign, to underwrite its work with children at risk.

The outreach is part of a new public service advertising initiative that was created with the help of the Advertising Council and was announced in January 2011 as part of the 10th anniversary celebration of National Mentoring Month.

Called “Start Something,” the campaign uses traditional as well as social media to illustrate the positive impact the adult volunteers of Big Brothers Big Sisters have on children’s lives, and to solicit both volunteers and financial support.

Established in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters matches adult volunteers with children from poor or single-parent families, or who have an incarcerated parent, all considered at risk; the organization estimates there are 10 million to 15 million such children in the United States. Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers are expected to make a minimum one-year commitment to serve as a mentor to these children.

The campaign is getting a significant boost from many Big Brothers Big Sisters corporate partners, including Arby’s, which donated $675,000 for research and marketing; Comcast, which is giving more than $3 million in air time and online media this year; Nivea, which is raising money through an iTunes promotion this month; and AOL, Facebook and MSN Advertising, all of which have made firm commitments to run the new online ads.

"Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience and just plain love for one another."
— Erma Bombeck

Click above to donate to BBBS of West Kentucky

United Way, Agency partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters

Starting something since 1904

For over a century, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been helping change kids’ perspectives and giving them the opportunity to reach their potential. And we have over a century of volunteers, donors, and advocates just like you to thank.

It all started in 1904, when a young New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter was seeing more and more boys come through his courtroom. He recognized that caring adults could help many of these kids stay out of trouble, and he set out to find volunteers. That marked the beginning of the Big Brothers movement.

At around the same time, the members of a group called Ladies of Charity were befriending girls who had come through the New York Children’s Court. That group would later become Catholic Big Sisters.

Both groups continued to work independently until 1977, when Big Brothers Association and Big Sisters International joined forces and became Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.