For children growing up in adversity, research has shown that the presence of just one caring adult can make the difference between a lifetime of struggle and developing the tools to create a better future. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington (BBBS), financial resources are required to match a ‘big’ with a ‘little.’

The match between a Big (adult) and a Little (kid) creates a lifelong bond. Photo courtesy: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington.

Being a mentor to a child is not a major time commitment or an expensive endeavor. It is simply a positive relationship for a child that needs some consistency in their lives. The staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington provides on-going support for the entire length of the match. The required commitment is a few hours a month for at least one year. Most kids lack consistency and need to know their Big Brother or Sister will stick around. Many of these matches last much longer than the required year.

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington there is no physical building for after-school programs. Many of the youths meet their Big Brother or Sister at their local school for supervised visits. There is no charge to the youth family or the mentors to participate.

To learn more about how Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington makes an impact in our community, read the stories below or visit www.swwabigs.org.

Mentoring

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington BIG Brunch

Big-Hearted Community Members Come Together to Make a BIG Difference at the Big Brothers...

Cameron is a Big Brother to RJ. The duo may not have been born into the same family, but they often act like one...
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington Board of Directors Bryson and Dave

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington Launches the MY STEAM Learning Lab with...

Submitted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington soft opens the MY STEAM (Mentoring Youth in Science,...
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America CEO Pam Iorio Visit to Olympia BBBS Office

CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Makes Historic Visit to Olympia

In an unprecedented visit, the Chief Executive Officer of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS), Pam Iorio, visited the BBBS of Southwest...
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southwest Washington BIG Brunch Speaker

Help Local Children Reach Their Full Potential by Attending the Annual Big Brothers Big...

At their annual BIG Brunch, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington (BBBSSWWA) plans to open up the stage for the children they serve...
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington BIG Valley Tennis Exhibition Pro-Am Common Goal

Perfect Match: The BIG Valley Tennis Exhibition & Pro-Am

Game, set, match. The optic yellow tennis ball whizzes back and forth across the net, punctuated by the thwacks it makes when it meets...
Big Brothers Big Sisters Holiday Party Match

Holiday Fun with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington

The shiny black bowling ball rolls down the lane towards the pins. Bryson stands at the end of the lane watching his ball, face...
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington Moves Offices November 2018

Submitted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington announced today that they are moving offices from Black...
BIG Swing Golf Tournament Team Photo

Another Ace for Big Brothers Big Sisters: Recapping the 2018 BIG Swing Golf...

This July, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington celebrated another successful run of one of their staple fundraising events, the BIG Swing Golf...
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Big Brothers Big Sisters Invites you to Win BIG at the BIG Car Raffle

This summer, you have a chance to WIN BIG during the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) BIG Car Raffle sponsored by Toyota of Olympia....
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2018 BBBS BIG Brunch to Support Gold Star Youth Program  

Cheesy fritattas, savory roasted potatoes, and mimosas. Just reading the words is enough to make your mouth water for a big brunch. And when...
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YouthWorks Youth Impact Program Changes Young Lives

Being a teenager is rarely easy, but for those who end up in the juvenile justice system the challenges can be especially daunting. That’s...
Big Brothers Big Sisters BIG Auction

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington Announces Record High BIG Auction

Submitted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington would like to thank all that attended and/or donated...
Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters BIG Auction Promises BIG Fun

It’s time to don your favorite party attire for the annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington’s BIG Auction. The event is taking...
Big Brothers Big Sisters

A Farewell, But Not Goodbye for 9 Year Big Brother Match

On November 6, 2008 Sam Genia, then only six-years-old, was matched with Big Brother Jim Fulton through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington....
big swing

Big Brothers Big Sisters Invites You to Caddyshack Themed BIG Swing

“In the immortal words of Jean Paul Sartre, 'Au revoir, gopher'.”            – Carl Spackler It’s time again for the Big...

Big Brothers Big Sisters Partners with wear blue: run to remember

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington (BBBS) is the premier mentorship organization nationally, so it’s no surprise that when wear blue: run to...
big brothers big sisters

Reflecting on 17 Years of Friendship, Starting with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest...

Submitted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington Eighteen years ago Heather decided she didn't want to be like every other twenty-something she knew,...

Every Dollar Changes Lives at Big Brothers Big Sisters BIG Auction

According to the Harvard University Center on the Developing Child, “the single most common factor for children who develop resilience is at least one...
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington Make Big Things Happen for Thurston County...

Sam was 7-years-old and living at home with a single mother who enrolled him in hopes of finding a Big Brother who would spend...

Spare Some Time, Make a Difference: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington’s Bowl...

Submitted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington Bowl For Kids’ Sake, an annual fundraiser benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington, got its...
big brothers big sisters

National Mentoring Month – Celebrating a Decade of Friendship through Big Brothers Big Sisters

  By Alyssa Ramsfield Thurston County residents Josh Woodson and his mother, Jaci, decided to take part in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program when Josh...
big brothers big sisters olympia

“Bigs” Make a Difference as Mentors to Thurston County Youth

  By Kate Scriven January is National Mentor Month across the nation where organizations recognize individuals for their impact on youth in the community.  Mentors come...
big brothers big sisters olympia

Fisher Jones Family Dentistry Helps Big Brothers Big Sisters Eclipse Fundraising Goals

  Submitted by Allison Barker for Fisher Jones Family Dentistry When the news was delivered, I was thrilled and overjoyed.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest...